Expansion is the only way for the EU to become stronger, and Ukraine's accession will bring benefits rather than be a burden to the European Union.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba made this statement at the ministerial conference "A Wider, Stronger Union - Preparing the EU for Enlargement and Candidate Countries" in Berlin, which is attended by foreign ministers from several EU member states and candidate countries.
The head of the Ukrainian MFA emphasized that Ukraine is making significant efforts and achieving tangible results in reforming the country. These reforms are of vital importance to Ukrainian society and make Ukraine stronger and more resilient.
"Ukraine's accession to the European Union will mean strengthening Europe's security, not weakening it. Ukraine will be an added value, not a burden for the EU. Russia's aggression against Ukraine has shown that the EU can be strong and act decisively, but EU reforms should not demotivate new member states or delay their accession," said the head of Ukraine's MFA.
According to Dmytro Kuleba, the enlargement process should not become a hostage to EU internal reforms. The internal reform of the EU and electoral processes in individual countries should not affect the dynamics of negotiations on the accession of new member states.
"Ukrainians currently have the highest optimism about the European project as a whole. They are committed to European values and principles. We cannot miss this historic moment and the unprecedented level of support. We need to use this potential to bring more positive changes to the EU," Dmytro Kuleba emphasized.
The head of Ukraine's MFA stressed that the first beneficiaries of enlargement will be the EU citizens themselves, as it will mean strengthening the capacity of the single market, human rights, and the rule of law, making the EU a stronger player on the global stage.
