Ukraine’s EU accession gains momentum as Kos says “integration is increasingly essential”

Delphi, by the correspondent – Ukraine’s path towards ever-greater integration into the European Union continues. Following the Green light for a 90 billion euro loan to Kyiv and the EU Council’s approval of the 20th sanctions package against Russia, the final step now remains: formal accession to the European Union. “Ukraine’s full integration into the EU is essential: it is not just us helping Kyiv, but Ukraine helping us too, by strengthening European security,” said the Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in an exclusive interview with Eunews.

After years marked by hardship and war, the government led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy is therefore stepping up the accession process. The informal summit of EU heads of state and government, meeting in Nicosia, opened proceedings with a clear political commitment in this direction. “It is time to look ahead and prepare the next step: formally opening the first negotiating chapters for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union,” said the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa.

Speaking on the sidelines of her speech at the eleventh edition of the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, Commissioner Kos highlighted the progress made by Kyiv, describing it as a “special case.” “The country is on the right track. This is a unique case: when I speak of special countries, I am referring precisely to this country, which, despite being at war, is pushing ahead with reforms and is nevertheless following the accession process. I am full of admiration for the Ukrainian people and for their leadership, which is driving all this forward.”

“It isn’t always easy, but I am very pleased that the members of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s unicameral parliament, ed.) are once again fully committed” to support the process. “I spoke with the Speaker of Parliament to ensure support for further reforms,” she explained, confirming that the path towards EU accession is now becoming increasingly concrete.