António Costa Highlights Moldova and Ukraine's EU Accession Progress
European Council President António Costa praised Moldova and Ukraine for their remarkable advancement on the path to EU membership during the Euronews EU Enlargement Summit. His remarks came shortly after the European Commission released the annual Enlargement package on 4 November.
Enlargement as a Top Priority
Since the start of his presidency at the Council, António Costa emphasized enlargement as a central focus, motivated by the urgent geopolitical situation which makes this goal essential for the European Union.
Significance of the Current EU Enlargement Mandate
Costa noted a notable phrase from the enlargement report:
“This is the first Commission mandate since 2010-2014 where enlargement is a realistic possibility.”
He stressed that Ukraine, Moldova, and Western Balkan countries firmly belong in the European Union.
Rapid Screening Process Amid Adversity
Highlighting the resilience of these nations, Costa pointed out:
“Ukraine – a country at war – and Moldova facing repeated attacks on its democracy and sovereignty, have, in the course of one year, completed the screening of the acquis by the Commission – at record speed.”
Summary
António Costa praised the swift EU accession progress of Moldova and Ukraine, emphasizing enlargement as a pressing priority amid challenging geopolitical circumstances.