EU Is Readying Options to Give Ukraine Gradual Membership Rights (www.bloomberg.com)
from Sepia@mander.xyz to world@lemmy.world on 11 Feb 07:58
https://mander.xyz/post/47258692

cross-posted from: mander.xyz/post/47258427

• The European Union is preparing options to embed Ukraine’s membership in a future peace deal, including providing Kyiv with protection and access to membership rights.
• The bloc would give Ukraine a clear timeframe of steps to advance with the formal procedure, with other options including continuing along the existing accession path or introducing a transition period.
• A draft of Ukraine’s peace plan anticipates EU membership in 2027, with Kyiv receiving some benefits of membership in the interim, as part of the discussion on a peace agreement.

…

The European Union is preparing a series of options to embed Ukraine’s membership in a future peace deal, according to people familiar with the matter.

The options under consideration include providing Kyiv up front with the protection that comes with EU accession as well as immediate access to some membership rights, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

At the same time, the bloc would give Ukraine a clear timeframe of steps that it needs to take to advance with the formal procedure, according to the people.

…

The EU is building on close links with candidate countries ahead of their accession. In the case of Ukraine, the bloc is already using such opportunities as part of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, according to the spokesperson.

Kyiv was granted candidate status in 2022 after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and approval to begin accession talks at the end of 2023. Formal negotiations began in 2024 but the process has been stalled by Hungary which is blocking the opening of so-called negotiating chapters.

EU membership usually takes years and progress requires the backing of all member states.

…

As the Baltic News Network reports, the EU seeks to bypass Hungary’s veto.

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