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Accession of Ukraine to the European Union
StatusPotential Candidate
Application
Membership application20 February 2022
Screened & negotiations commence
Chapters closed
Not yet applicable
Memberships & Treaties
Association Agreement
Economic and monetary policy
Travel
Energy
Foreign and military policy
Human rights and international courts
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Impact (27+1)
Population446,828,803
Area4,233,262 km2
1,634,472 mi2
HDI0.896
GDP (PPP)$25.399 trillion
GDP per capita (PPP)$56,928
GDP$17.818 trillion
GDP per capita$39,940
Gini30.0
Official Languages24
Politics of Ukraine
Constitution
Presidency
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Local government
Elections
Foreign relations
See also
flag Ukraine portal
  European Union member states
  European Union member states supporting accelerated membership for Ukraine[1][2]
  Ukraine
  Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories

Ukraine is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the European Union (EU). Obtaining the status of a full member of the EU as a strategic goal of Ukraine was first declared by President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko immediately after his election in early 2005.[3] In 2013, after President Viktor Yanukovych suspended the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement in favor of closer economic ties with Russia, mass protests and demonstrations known as the Pro EU Euromaidan erupted, escalating into the Revolution of Dignity that led to the overthrow of Yanukovych and the establishment of a new government. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were additional calls to start a formal accession process. Ukraine reiterated its desire to become a member of the union,[4] and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stated that Ukraine belongs in the European Union.[5] On 28 February, Ukraine officially submitted a letter of application for membership.[6] Due to the ongoing crisis, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested immediate admission to the European Union under a special procedure.[7][8][9] On 1 March 2022, the European Parliament, following a debate in which the President of Ukraine addressed and received applause, recommended that Ukraine be made an official "candidate" for EU membership.[10] The European Parliament has voted to advance Ukraine's membership with 637 voted for, with 13 voted against, and 26 abstained.[11][12] On 2 March, however, Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares stated that "belonging to the EU is not a capricious process or one that can be done by a mere political decision", reminding that the candidate country "must meet certain social, political and economic standards".[13]

Relations

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Relations between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine are shaped through the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Ukraine is a priority partner within the Eastern Partnership and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The EU and Ukraine are seeking an increasingly close relationship with each other, going beyond co-operation, to gradual economic integration and deepening of political co-operation.[14]

The association agreement was initiated in 2012, but the Ukrainian government suspended preparations for signing the association agreement on 21 November 2013, during the presidency of pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych,[15][16] who attended the EU summit in Vilnius on 28–29 November 2013 where the association agreement was originally planned to be signed but it was not.[17][18] The decision to put off signing the association agreement led to the pro-EU Euromaidan movement.[19] These led to the removal of Yanukovych and his government by parliament after the 2013–2014 Ukrainian revolution in February 2014.[15][20]

The political part of the Association Agreement was signed on 21 March 2014 by the new Prime Minister, Arsenii Yatseniuk.[14] Meanwhile, the EU has attempted to stabilize Ukraine by freezing assets of allegedly corrupt Russians and Ukrainians and by granting financial aid to Ukraine.[14][15][21] The economic part of the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement was signed on 27 June 2014 by the new president, Petro Poroshenko.[22] On 1 January 2016, Ukraine joined the DCFTA with the EU. Ukrainian citizens were granted visa-free travel to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days during any 180-day period on 11 June 2017 and the Association Agreement formally came into effect on 1 September 2017.[23] On 21 February 2019, the Constitution of Ukraine was amended, the norms on the strategic course of Ukraine for membership in the European Union and NATO are enshrined in the preamble of the Basic Law, three articles and transitional provisions.[24][25] On 28 February 2022, during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially signed an EU membership application for Ukraine.[9] Prime Ministers Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland, Janez Janša of Slovenia and Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic, all being member states of the European Union, visited Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express their solidarity and support to Ukraine during the invasion.

Ukraine has shared borders with four EU member states—Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania—that stretch about 2,235 kilometres (1,389 mi) in total, with 33 border crossings by road, rail, ferry, and walking and bicycle path.


Financial Assistance

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Main article: Third-country economic relationships with the European Union

For the 2000–2006 budgetary period, the financial assistance of the EU to Ukraine was framed in the TACIS programme, established in 1991, a programme of technical assistance that supports the process of transition to market economies for the 11 CIS countries and Georgia.

For the 2007–2013 budgetary period, ENPI, standing for "European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument", covers the ENP countries, and replacing the TACIS funds for Ukraine.[26] Ukraine is moreover eligible for horizontal instruments, that cover countries regardless of their region, such as:

  • the Instrument for Stability, a new instrument to tackle crises and instability in third countries and address trans-border challenges including nuclear safety and non-proliferation, the fight against trafficking, organised crime and terrorism;
  • the Macro Financial Assistance

Visa liberalisation process

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See also: Visa policy of the Schengen Area

On 22 November 2010 the European Council and Ukraine announced "an action plan for Ukraine toward the establishment of a visa-free regime for short-stay travel".[27] This roadmap outlined major improvements in Ukrainian border control, migration and asylum policies.[28] According to The Wall Street Journal, for the EU, "the visa-free regimes are a key tool for binding their neighbors closer and for advancing reforms in those countries".[29] Negotiations for an amendment to the 2007 Visa Facilitation agreement, which expanded the subset of individuals eligible for simplified visa procedures to include students, NGO representatives and holders of official passports, were finalised in December 2011,[30] and the Visa Facilitation Agreement was ratified by the Verkhovna Rada on 22 March 2013.[31] On 18 April 2013 the European Parliament followed suit,[32][33] and the European Council finalised the agreement on 13 May 2013.[32][34] In December 2011 former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych expected negotiations for full visa-free travel to be completed by the end of 2014.[30] The European Commission stated in November 2013 that Ukraine must strengthen its anti-discrimination laws before the visa-free regime is established.[35] The Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) adopted the remaining four bills needed for the transition to the second (implementation) phase of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan in May 2014 (including bills on improving anti-discrimination laws).[36] When addressing MPs before the vote on these bills Verkhovna Rada Chairman and acting President[15] Oleksandr Turchynov predicted then that "the visa-free regime will be introduced by the end of this year".[36] However, Ukraine should have adopted bills that addresses for six conditions[nb 1] needed for the fulfilment of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan before 15 December 2015.[37] On that day the EU will decide whether the country will get the visa-free regime in 2016.[37] In December 2015, the Commission issued a progress report that found that Ukraine met all the conditions for its citizens be granted visa free travel to the Schengen Area.[38] The European Commission formally proposed Ukraine be granted visa free travel in April 2016.[39] This was later delayed by the EU,[40][41] postponing the possible date of an agreement to September 2016.[29] The Committee of Permanent Representatives gave its approval in November 2016.[42][43] Visa-free scheme, that will allow Ukrainians with a biometric passport to visit the Schengen Area for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period, would come into force once it is agreed and formally adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council.[42][44] In December, the EU agreed that European Commission or an EU state will be able to suspend the visa waiver for Ukrainians for up to nine months in case of emergencies[45] such as if "[Ukraine fails] to cooperate in taking back illegal migrants, there's a spike in the number of asylum applications, or a security issue arises".[46] The visa-free regime deal was agreed by the EU Parliament and Council on 28 February 2017,[47] approved by the MEPs on 6 April[48] and by the European Council on 11 May.[49] It entered into force on 11 June 2017.[50]

EU special representative

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The German-British initiative

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International reactions to the German-British initiative

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Chronology of Relations with the European Union

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Timeline[51]
Date Event
1997 Regional approach to the Western Balkans established
June 2003 Ukraine identified as a potential candidate for EU membership during the Thessaloniki European Council summit
25 November 2005 Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations officially opened in Sarajevo
18 September 2007 Visa facilitation and readmission agreements signed
4 December 2007 EU initials Stabilization and Association Agreement
1 January 2008 Visa facilitation and readmission agreements enter into force
18 February 2008 Council adopts new European partnership programme
16 June 2008 Stabilization and Association Agreement and Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues signed
1 July 2008 Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues enters into force
31 July 2007 Ukraine & EU sign financing agreement for the instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) 2007 National Programme
27 May 2010 Commission adopts proposal allowing citizens of Albania & Ukraine to travel to Schengen countries without a short-term visa
15 December 2010 Visa free regime for Schengen area introduced for all BiH citizens having a biometric passport
1 September 2011 Delegation of the European Union and Office of the EU Special Representative become one reinforced EU presence
27 June 2012 The EU and Ukraine launched the High Level Dialogue on the Accession Process
1 June 2015 The SAA with Ukraine enters into force
15 February 2016 BiH submits its application to join the EU
20 September 2016 EU Council invites the Commission to present an Opinion on BiH application.
February 2018 Ukraine sends accession questionnaire back to the European Commission
20 June 2018 European Commission sent 655 follow-up questions to the Questionnaire
5 March 2019 Ukraine submitted most responses to follow-up questions
29 May 2019 European Commission notes progress but the country still needs to enact some constitutional changes as well as "ensure the functioning of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and develop a national programme for the adoption of the EU acquis".[52]

Negotiations

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Negotiation talks have not yet started. However, the European Commission has given an opinion on the status of various reforms since 2019.

Screening and Chapter Dates
Acquis chapter Screening Started Screening Completed Chapter Opened Chapter Closed
Overview 0 out of 33 0 out of 33 0 out of 33 0 out of 33
1. Free Movement of Goods – – – –
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers – – – –
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services – – – –
4. Free Movement of Capital – – – –
5. Public Procurement – – – –
6. Company Law – – – –
7. Intellectual Property Law – – – –
8. Competition Policy – – – –
9. Financial Services – – – –
10. Information Society & Media – – – –
11. Agriculture & Rural Development – – – –
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy – – – –
13. Fisheries – – – –
14. Transport Policy – – – –
15. Energy – – – –
16. Taxation – – – –
17. Economic & Monetary Policy – – – –
18. Statistics – – – –
19. Social Policy & Employment – – – –
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy – – – –
21. Trans-European Networks – – – –
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments – – – –
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights – – – –
24. Justice, Freedom & Security – – – –
25. Science & Research – – – –
26. Education & Culture – – – –
27. Environment & Climate Change – – – –
28. Consumer & Health Protection – – – –
29. Customs Union – – – –
30. External Relations – – – –
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy – – – –
32. Financial Control – – – –
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions – – – –
34. Institutions – – – –
35. Other Issues – – – –
Report History on the Ability to Assume the Obligations of EU Membership
Acquis chapter 2019 Report[53] 2020 Report[54] 2021 Report[55]
1. Free Movement of Goods Early stage Early stage Early stage
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services Early stage Early stage Early stage
4. Free Movement of Capital Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
5. Public Procurement Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
6. Company Law Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
7. Intellectual Property Law Moderately prepared Moderately prepared Moderately prepared
8. Competition Policy Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
9. Financial Services Some level of preparation Moderately prepared‡ Moderately prepared‡
10. Information Society & Media Early stage Early stage Early stage
11. Agriculture & Rural Development Early stage Early stage Early stage
12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
13. Fisheries Early stage Early stage Early stage
14. Transport Policy Early stage Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
15. Energy Early stage Early stage Early stage
16. Taxation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
17. Economic & Monetary Policy Early stage Early stage Early stage
18. Statistics Early stage Early stage Early stage
19. Social Policy & Employment Early stage Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy Early stage Early stage Early stage
21. Trans-European Networks Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments Early stage Early stage Early stage
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
24. Justice, Freedom & Security Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
25. Science & Research Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
26. Education & Culture Early stage Early stage Early stage
27. Environment & Climate Change Some level of preparation Some level of preparation† Some level of preparation†
28. Consumer & Health Protection Early stage Early stage Early stage
29. Customs Union Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
30. External Relations Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy Some level of preparation Some level of preparation Some level of preparation
32. Financial Control Early stage Early stage Early stage
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions Some level of preparation Early stage Early stage
34. Institutions N/A N/A N/A
35. Other Issues N/A N/A N/A
Legend:

† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "early stage of preparation" AND "some level of preparation".

‡ indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".

  totally incompatible   early stage   considerable efforts needed   some level of preparation   further efforts needed   moderately prepared   no major difficulties expected   good level of preparation   well prepared / well advanced

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Presidents was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference HU was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Ukraine | European Commission". Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  4. ^ "As Russia invades, Ukraine makes appeal for EU membership". POLITICO. 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Ukraine belongs in EU, Commission chief von der Leyen says". POLITICO. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  6. ^ "EU accession and the Ukraine crisis". openDemocracy. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  7. ^ Prentice, Alessandra (2022-02-28). Lawson, Hugh (ed.). "Ukrainian president signs formal request to join the European Union". Reuters. Reporting: Zinets, Natalia; Polityuk, Pavel. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  8. ^ "Zelenskiy Calls For Ukraine's Immediate EU Membership But Bloc Cool On Idea". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b Treisman, Rachel (28 February 2022). "Ukraine wants to join the EU. Here's how that would work". NPR. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  10. ^ "The European Parliament has recommended that Ukraine be granted EU candidate status". eurointegration (in Ukrainian). 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  11. ^ "European Parliament Votes to Advance Ukraine's Application for EU Membership". National Review. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  12. ^ "Here Are the Members of Parliament Who Voted to Deny Ukraine's EU Admission". MSN. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  13. ^ Press, Europa (2022-02-28). "Ucrania reclama a España que apoye de forma "explícita" la reivindicación de adhesión a la UE". www.europapress.es. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  14. ^ a b c "EU & Ukraine September 30, 2019 FACT SHEET" Archived 13 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine, European External Action Service (17 April 2014)
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  16. ^ "Ukraine drops EU plans and looks to Russia". Al Jazeera. 21 November 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference FuleIU201113 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Ukraine fails to sign landmark deal at EU summit Archived 13 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Euronews (29 November 2013)
  19. ^ "Ukraine still wants historic pact with EU". Oman Observer. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
    Ukraine police dismantle Kiev protest camps Archived 8 March 2021 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News (9 December 2013)
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  22. ^ Cite error: The named reference EU signs pacts with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ^ "European Commission - EU-Ukraine Association Agreement fully enters into force". europa.eu. Archived from the original on 14 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019. (Press release)
  24. ^ "The law amending the Constitution on the course of accession to the EU and NATO has entered into force | European integration portal". eu-ua.org (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  25. ^ "Закон про зміни до Конституції щодо курсу на вступ в ЄС і НАТО набув чинності | Євроінтеграційний портал". eu-ua.kmu.gov.ua. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  26. ^ "ENPI Info Centre". Archived from the original on 15 December 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  27. ^ EU, Ukraine Agree On 'Road Map' For Visa-Free Travel Archived 18 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (22 November 2010)
  28. ^ Ukraine's visa-free travel action plan with European Union (full text of document) Archived 27 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Kyiv Post (24 November 2010)
  29. ^ a b Valentina Pop and Laurence Norman. Georgia, Kosovo, Ukraine's Visa-Free Access to EU Delayed Archived 13 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine. The Wall Street Journal. Published on 9 June 2016.
  30. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference 19dec was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  31. ^ Verkhovna Rada ratifies Visa Facilitation Agreement with EU Archived 3 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Interfax-Ukraine (22 March 2013)
  32. ^ a b European Parliament okays entry into force of amendments to visa facilitation agreement with Ukraine, Interfax-Ukraine (18 April 2013)
  33. ^ EU and Ukraine: closer ties despite backsliding? Archived 22 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine, EUobserver (19 March 2013)
  34. ^ 3237th Council meeting (page 18) Archived 11 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine, European Council (13 May 2013)
  35. ^ "EU demands more reforms from Ukraine to lift visa barrier [fr]". 2013-11-20. Archived from the original on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  36. ^ a b Rada adopts all laws needed to implement first phase of action plan on visa liberalization with EU Archived 14 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Interfax-Ukraine (13 May 2014)
  37. ^ a b c Ukraine's EU visa-free deal in jeopardy as reform deadline nears Archived 22 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Ukraine Today (21 October 2015)
    EU Visa Free Regime for Ukraine: What needs to be done? (GRAPHICS) Archived 9 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Ukraine Today (18 May 2015)
  38. ^ "Commission Progress Report: Ukraine meets criteria for visa liberalisation". European Commission. 2015-12-18. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  39. ^ "European Commission proposes visa-free travel for citizens of Ukraine". European Commission. 2016-04-20. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  40. ^ Gabriela Baczynska. EU puts brake on visa liberalization for now amid immigration fears Archived 3 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Published on 1 June 2016. Reuters.
  41. ^ Martin Banks. Poroshenko: Brexit won't prevent EU-Ukraine visa deal Archived 30 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine Published on 9 June 2016. The Parliament Magazine.
  42. ^ a b "Visas: Council agrees its negotiating position on visa liberalisation for Ukraine". Council of the European Union. 2016-11-17. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  43. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reuters 21 November 2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  44. ^ Ukraine citizens to get visa-free travel to EU Archived 9 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine. BBC News. Published on 24 November 2016.
  45. ^ Gabriela Baczynska. EU unblocks visa-free travel for Ukraine, Georgia Archived 1 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Reuters. Published on 8 December 2016.
  46. ^ Cynthia Kroet. EU moves forward on Ukraine, Georgia visa-free travel Archived 29 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Politico. Published on 8 December 2016.
  47. ^ MEPs and Council negotiators agree to waive EU visa requirement for Ukrainians Archived 2 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. European Parliament News. 28 February 2017.
  48. ^ "Three million Ukrainians can soon visit EU visa-free". Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  49. ^ "Council of EU finally approves visa-free regime for Ukraine - 11.05.2017 11:26 — Ukrinform News". Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  50. ^ "Ukrainians Wave 'Final Goodbye To Russian Empire' As Visa-Free Travel To EU Begins". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2017-06-11. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  51. ^ "Ukraine". European Neighbourhood Policy And Enlargement Negotiations. European Commission. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  52. ^ "Commission Opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the European Union". European Commission. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  53. ^ "Commission Opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the European Union" (PDF). European Commission. European Commission. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  54. ^ "Ukraine 2020 Report" (PDF). European Commission. European Commission. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  55. ^ "Ukraine 2021 Report". European Commission. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
[edit]

Ukraine Category:Ukraine–European Union relations


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