EU reached consensus on Ukraine’s candidate status — French State Secretary

The European Union member states have reached a common position on granting Ukraine candidate status on the eve of the EU summit on June 23-24.

It was stated by French Secretary of State Clément Beaune at a press conference following a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council, according to EP.

"We have made progress on the issues we have been discussing since the morning, namely the preparations for the European Commission meeting in Brussels later this month. It will concern Ukraine and the possibility of granting candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia," Beaune said.

"Last week, the European Commission released its opinion on this issue, and we have witnessed a fairly good, I would say, perfect consensus on moving to the next stage of discussions on the possibility of granting Ukraine candidate status," he added.

The French Secretary of State explained that he meant the discussion of Ukraine's candidacy by EU heads of state and government.

"But at our level, we are convinced that the unity of the EU continues to be a reality. Europe continues to move forward towards this historic moment," he added.

Beaune warned that granting candidate status does not mean immediate accession to the EU. "It is a long and difficult process."