The EU begins the accession process of Ukraine and Moldova, marked by war

The EU launched accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova this Tuesday, two years after the grant of the status The number of candidate countries for entry into the club, in the context of aggression against Russia.

The war has, of course, stimulated the EU’s geostrategic interest Expansionwhat they wore Frozen for almost 20 years Since the great incorporation of eastern countries in 2004 and 2007.

Ukraine requested to join the EU just four days after the war began – on February 28, 2022 – and Moldova followed in its footsteps the same week, on March 3 of that year.

The Twenty-Seven accepted his candidacy four months later, in record time, devastated by the war, which the EU also sees as a threat to its security.

Of the current candidates, North Macedonia was the country that had to wait the shortest, having applied for membership in March 2004 and receiving candidate status in December 2005.

However, as is the case with Ukraine and Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro He also made his debut Accession negotiations after two years have received CandidateBetween 2010 and 2012.

Next Steps

The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, has set 2030 as the date by which the EU must admit new members, but practically no one in Brussels shares this ambition.

Following the first round of negotiations, the European CommissionThe legislation of Ukraine and Moldova will be finalized calling for Improvement They must be included in each of the 33 chapters that make up the accession and which range from respect for the rule of law, to the functioning of the economy, including consumer law and environmental policy.

To open each of them, a unanimity of the Member States is required, which is also reversible, as the EU can decide to reopen chapters that have previously been closed, if it considers that the necessary reforms are not being carried out.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der LeyenYes warned it would be “a tough road”And Michel stressed that Kiev and Chisinau must make “substantial reforms”.

Hungary has expressed its intention to prevent the integration of the two countries during its rotating presidency of the EU, which it will assume in the second half of 2024.

Questions and challenges

The unification of Ukraine will depend, first of all, on the outcome of the war and its ability to resist Russia. In this context, it flies in the face Question Mark What the EU needs Include a country with ongoing conflict,

“This is a question that really concerns many of us and that is why we are committed to helping Ukraine so that it can successfully defend itself against Russia,” acknowledged Anna Luhrmann, German Secretary of State for European Affairs.

The expansion process will also be marked The far right gained weight in the European UnionPolitical groups close to Moscow are demanding the return of powers transferred to Brussels.

The twenty-seven are also aware that before creating a hypothetical EU of more than 30 members, internal reforms are needed to maintain decision-making agility in the changing world to which they seek to adapt.