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ARTICLE - Romania

Romania is in favor of opening negotiations on EU membership with Ukraine: Olha Stefanishyna in Bucharest
Service of the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine
09 December 2023 11:07

On 8 December, during a working visit to Bucharest, Romania, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna met with Romanian Foreign Minister Luminița Odobescu. The consultations were followed by a joint press conference.

The participants of the meeting discussed the opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova at the next meeting of the European Council, given the undeniable result of the reform efforts of both countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna informed her colleague that on the same day, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine had considered and adopted three draft laws identified by the European Commission as necessary additional steps, including amendments to certain laws of Ukraine to take into account the expert opinion of the Council of Europe and its bodies on the rights of national minorities (communities) in certain areas.

“We have maximum cohesion and are rapidly introducing the necessary reforms in matters related to Ukraine’s membership in the EU. Thus, after the publication of the European Commission’s report, we immediately developed all the necessary decisions. The adopted amendments to sectoral legislation on the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities are the result of a broad inclusive dialogue and are in line with international standards. In this way, we provide the necessary legal certainty and guarantee the practical implementation of the rights enshrined in the framework legislation,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.

She noted that the provisions of the draft law take into account the opinion of representatives of various national communities in Ukraine and the adapted experience and practice of other European countries, primarily Romania and Hungary.

The Romanian Minister praised Ukraine’s reform efforts, particularly in the fight against corruption and the establishment of the rule of law during a full-scale war. She welcomed the adoption of legislative changes to protect the rights of national minorities and noted that “the adopted law is a positive step forward”. Luminița Odobescu stressed that Romania would remain a constructive partner of Ukraine in this regard.

The participants of the meeting discussed in detail the agenda of the meeting of the leaders of the 27 EU member states next week. Luminița Odobescu reiterated Romania’s full support for the opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. During the joint press conference, the Minister stressed that Romania would continue to make efforts to reach a decision at the European Council on 14-15 December.

“European integration is a driver of profound transformations in Ukraine. We are fighting for our survival, repelling russia’s full-scale aggression, but at the same time, we are developing and stepping up our efforts to join the EU. We have a clear understanding with our partners in Bucharest that the European Council meeting should result in decisive steps for real enlargement and the future of Europe. And Ukraine’s movement towards EU membership is an integral part of this,” Olha Stefanishyna said.

The Romanian foreign minister expressed her consistent support for Ukraine both at the bilateral level and in its accession to the EU. The two sides agreed to work together to strengthen bilateral relations to a strategic level.