French Foreign Minister Says Ukraine May Not Become an EU Member Before 15 or 20 Years
France’s Minister’s comments ended the hopes of many persons who believe that such a process could be finalised in the near future, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
“We have to be honest. If you say Ukraine is going to join the EU in six months or a year or two, you’re lying. It’s probably in 15 or 20 years; it takes a long time,” Clément Beaune pointed out in this regard.
The Minister said that he doesn’t want to offer citizens of Ukraine any illusions or lies, reiterating the offer of President Emmanuel Macron to introduce a loser European political community that could help Ukraine become part of the EU sooner, as reported by Euractiv.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced such compromises and insisted on an immediate start of the process towards full EU membership, as reported by Euractiv.
However, according to Beaune, Macron’s proposal is not “an alternative to joining the European political community. It doesn’t prevent membership later on.”
Based on Macron’s plan, “there could be free circulation in Europe, and it could benefit from the European budget for reconstruction and the revival of its country, society and economy,” he pointed out.
Last month, Ukraine formally submitted a completed questionnaire on European Union membership.
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed the questionnaire to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 8.
In addition, Von der Leyen stressed that “I think a matter of weeks” before the European Commission issues its opinion on whether Ukraine’s membership should move forward rather than years.
Ukraine’s membership in the EU has provoked many reactions. Recently, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, opposed the membership of Ukraine in the European Union.
The Minister said Ukraine’s joining in the EU would weaken the block. His comments have been criticised by authorities in Ukraine.
“We consider his remarks strategically short-sighted and not in the interests of a united Europe,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry told RFE in this regard.
Recently, Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, during a speech at Bundestag, said that he is against granting Kyiv a shortcut to join the bloc.
Scholz stressed that giving Ukraine quicker access to the EU would not be fair for countries Western Balkan countries, who have been waiting for many years to join.
