Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said on Thursday he hopes that the European Union will open negotiations with Kyiv on Ukraine’s accession to the bloc in December.
According to the Lithuanian leader, positive conclusions from the European Commission on Ukraine’s reforms could give impetus to this.
“We will certainly make every effort – Lithuania and other states strongly supporting Ukraine – so that we do not waste time and make a decision as early as in December on the start of negotiations with Ukraine,” Nausėda said in a video comment from Granada, where he is taking part in the European Political Community summit.
The president said it is crucial that Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova carry out the remaining recommended reforms by December.
“There is not much time, but the European Commission will give a little more time if needed. The most important thing is that we have a decision by December,” Nausėda said.
“And if the European Commission’s decision is positive, we will have very strong arguments in our hands to demand the start of accession negotiations,” he added.
Ukraine was granted EU candidate status a year ago and hopes to start formal negotiations this year.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
