(CNN)The long-term goal of Ukraine'sto join the European Unionthen fired the latest shot. I did. The 27 member states of the block agreed on Thursday that the country should be givencandidate status-an important step in thepath to full membership.
"Today marks an important step on the road to the EU," European Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter after the meeting in Brussels. Leaders also agreed to approve Moldova's candidacy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the European Council's decision "a unique and historic moment in EU-Ukraine relations" and "sincerely praises it."
The decision made at the Council Summit of the European Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, states that it is the opinion of Brock's executive body that Ukraine deserves a candidate position. It will take place only a week later. The country's desire and determination to uphold European values and standards "
However, it may still take years for Ukraine to become a member of the EU. This process is long and requires agreement from 27 member states at almost every stage. This means that member states have multiple opportunities to use veto as a tip for political negotiations.
Before Ukraine can start negotiations to join the block, it must first meet the Copenhagen criteria. These are three opaque requirements that focus on whether the country has a free market functioning. Economy; Whether the institution is suitable for supporting European values such as the EU's interpretation of human rights and the rule of law. And whether it has functional and inclusive democracy.
Although it is unlikely that Ukraine will be able to meet these criteria during the war, Von der Leyen has begun to make progress by reaching them long before the invasion. I admitted.
If these criteria are met and all Member States agree to begin discussions on 35 negotiation chapters ranging from trade to law to civil society, Ukraine will meet the necessary criteria. We must carry out domestic reforms. In each of these areas. Again, all Member States must agree that these requirements are met before closing each chapter.
If that happens, the European Parliament and the legislative agenda will need to approve the decision, and eventually Ukraine will become an EU member state.
According to the changing European think tank UK, the average time to join the EU is 4 years and 10 months. However, some members of Eastern Europe had to wait as long as 10 years.
In addition to the long and complex process, there are also political considerations that can hinder Ukraine's European dreams.
Not all member states are excited that Ukraine is considering joining the block. Therefore, at all stages, one or more people may want to throw a spanner into the work to make concessions on other things the EU is discussing, such as the allocation of EU funds.
France, Germany and Hungary are not doing their best to support them. It was only after visiting the Ukrainian capital, Kieu, that French, German and Italian leaders announced their support for their position as Ukrainian candidates. Hungary has also been stalled for a variety of reasons, most notably because it is Russia's largest ally in the EU.
Some European countries have also criticized Zelensky for not providing sufficient weapons as Ukraine is in the midst of a desperate battle to protect the eastern Luhansk region of the country. It has been.
The reasons for their hesitation range from concerns about corruption to the shift of power from the west to the east of the block if Ukraine is recognized. There is also concern that Ukraine may consume how much of the EU budget.
While all Member States support the candidacy, there are still multiple opportunities for leaders to dig into the heel over the next few years.
Ukraine's long journey to the EU has just begun. The candidate's status indicates a moral victory and may send a big message to Russia. But in reality, Ukraine now has to make sufficiently difficult reforms at its best, not to mention being invaded by foreign troops, almost by itself.
