Brussels says more reforms required in three states where Russia wants influence
The commission said it supported the start of accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova and the granting of candidate status to Georgia. Photographer: Andrew Kravchenko/BloombergUkraine, Moldova and Georgia have hailed the European Commission’s recommendation to advance their bids for European Union membership, even as the executive made clear that more reforms were required to keep progress on track.
“Today, the history of Ukraine and the whole of Europe has taken the right step...This is a pure positive. Despite all the difficulties, we are moving forward,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said after 21 months of all-out war with Russia’s invasion force. Moldovan president Maia Sandu said her country had reached “an important milestone...recognising our commitment to democracy and development. Moldova is firmly on the path for EU membership and we will continue working relentlessly towards this goal.”
The governing Georgian Dream party has rejected criticism of its 11-year rule as unfair and inaccurate “propaganda” from adversaries at home and abroad, while also denying allegations that it is moving closer to Russia, which invaded Georgia in 2008 and still exerts de facto control over 20 per cent of its territory.