Statement from the EU; "Candidate Country" Status for Ukraine and Moldova

The European Union (EU) Commission recommended that Ukraine and Moldova be given "candidate country status". It was also added that Georgia's candidacy status will be evaluated later.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union Commission, discussed the issues on the agenda at the press conference held in Brussels. Leyen shared the Commission's opinion on the candidacy applications of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia with the press. Von der Leyen said, "Ukraine deserves the EU perspective, to be a candidate country. A lot of work has been done, but there is still a lot of work to be done." President Leyen stated that Ukraine had an EU candidacy before the Russian invasion, that it has already implemented about 70 percent of the EU acquis, and that it is in line with European standards and values. Vonderler demanded that Moldova be given the status of "candidate country", just like Ukraine. Stating that Moldova has a lot of work to do in areas such as economy and public administration, von der Leyen added that the country has taken important steps for reforms in the recent past, but that it needs to sign a series of important reforms in the future. "We believe Moldova has the potential to meet the requirements, given that the country's leaders are moving in this direction," Leyen added. Candidate status not visible to Georgia The view of Ukraine and Moldova differed in Georgia. The EU Commission's assessment of Georgia's "candidate country" status should be done later. "The country must now come together politically to define a definitive path for structural reforms and the EU path," von der Leyen said. The opinion of the EU Commission will be presented to the EU Council, which is formed by the member states, at the EU Leaders Summit to be held on 23-24 June. All member states will need to approve in order for candidate country status to be granted.