2030 could be "realistic date" for Ukraine's integration into EU – Ambassador Mathernova
Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova. Photo: Vitaliy Nosach / RBC-Ukraine
The Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, believes that Ukraine's accession to the EU in 2030 is quite realistic.
She stated this in an interview with Channel 24.
According to the European diplomat, determining when Ukraine will officially join the EU is like "looking into a crystal ball and predicting the future."
At the same time, Mathernova agreed that the benchmark proposed by the head of the European Council, Charles Michel – 2030 – is a pretty realistic date.
"Based on my own observations, on life in Kyiv, on interaction with the Ukrainian authorities, representatives of business and media, as well as taking into account the expansion process in the past, which I know well, I believe that 2030 is a very realistic date," the EU ambassador said.
The diplomat warned that the war would have a big impact on this process and on progress on reforms.
"But I think that in this completely unpredictable geopolitical environment in which we live today, this date is quite normal," the head of the EU representation in Ukraine added.
Also, the EU ambassador to Ukraine believes that the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union is unlikely to have a negative impact on the pace of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European bloc.
The diplomat emphasized that the presidency of the Council of the European Union has been enshrined in the essential act of the EU from the very beginning. During the next six-month presidency, the country that presides must play the role of an honest mediator.
"In other words, this is not a case where you promote your government or national priorities. You should chair the meetings but facilitate consensus among others," she said.
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It should be noted that Mathernova previously expressed her belief that Ukraine is ready to start negotiations on joining the European Union. The head of the EU mission in Kyiv hopes for their start at the end of June.
In addition, on May 1, the 20th anniversary of the largest expansion in the European Union's history, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, noted in his statement that candidate countries, including Ukraine, have a historic opportunity to build strong relations with the European Union.
Also, the presidents of the three Baltic countries, in a joint statement for the 20th anniversary of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia's membership in the EU, called for holding intergovernmental conferences with Ukraine and Moldova and for the start of accession negotiations with them in June 2024.
According to Rubryka's report, the European Commission announced on March 12 that it had drafted a negotiation framework for Ukraine and Moldova's membership in the EU. The framework will now be deliberated among the EU member states.
The Office of the President noted that Ukraine has fulfilled more than 90% of the European Commission's recommendations.
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