The efforts made by Ukraine on its path towards the European Union are “impressive”, given the context, summed up the Swedish Minister for European Affairs, Jessika Roswall, at the end of an informal meeting of European Affairs Ministers in Stockholm on Thursday 22 June.
This observation is shared by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, who acknowledged that the country is doing well in implementing the reforms requested by the Europeans, even though Kyiv is only “halfway” towards what has been asked of it.
The two leaders also drew up a positive mid-term assessment for Moldova, but had more mixed feelings about Georgia.
In accordance with the request made by the European Council last June to provide it with a mid-term review of Ukraine and Moldova’s applications for membership of the European Union, as well as Georgia’s application (the country does not yet have candidate status), the Commissioner therefore delivered an “oral report” on 22 June, with a more complete examination expected in October as part of the annual enlargement cycles, which will also cover the countries of the Western Balkans, the Commissioner pointed out.
With regard to Ukraine, he explained that “two of the seven stages identified have been completed”, in particular the reform of judicial governance bodies. A new media law has also brought Kyiv into line with the EU.
Other progress has been made in the fight against corruption, money laundering and national minorities, but here the Commission is asking Kyiv to take “more systemic measures”.
The action plan against the oligarchs has yet to be implemented and, on this point, the recommendations of the Venice Commission must be applied.
In Moldova, three of the nine stages identified have already been completed, notably on judicial reform. The country has also made progress on gender equality and combating violence against women, as well as on decision-making processes. However, Moldova still needs to make progress in the fight against corruption and de-oligarchisation.
Georgia, for its part, fulfilled three out of 12 priorities, notably on gender equality, violence against women and the adoption of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights.
It must, however, make progress on depolarising the political framework, with the “need to put an end to tough rhetoric” and to create “effective control of Parliament and constructive arrangements between the parties”, said the Commissioner.
The Commissioner called on these countries to make as much effort as possible between now and October, even though their candidacy will not be assessed solely on the basis of compliance with these stages, he added. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)