Ukraine's EU accession easier with fair, sustainable peace – Mathernová

A conference titled “Ukraine’s EU membership: not if, but when” took place in Kyiv, where the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernová, stated that a fair and sustainable peace would significantly ease Kyiv’s path to joining the EU.

This was reported by Espreso correspondent Natalia Starepravo.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kestutis Budrys, stated that there are many political risks on Ukraine’s path to the EU, but these are not final obstacles to joining the bloc.

"From the European side, there will be much skepticism regarding the internal market, agriculture, institutional state, and Ukraine's readiness. There will be many different opinions, but none of them will be an absolute obstacle to accession," he said.

Meanwhile, Denmark’s Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, emphasized that EU enlargement will happen if Ukraine continues to make progress on its path to joining and demonstrates commitment to it.

"Obviously, a fair and sustainable peace will make this (EU accession) much easier," added Mathernová.

At the same time, today the EU launched the Ukraine2EU program – an initiative to support Ukraine in its accession process.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed confidence in his colleagues’ commitment to this program, stressing that Kyiv is making efforts to join the EU.

Bjerre also highlighted: Ukraine "has done an incredible job so far" on its path to the EU, but there are things to implement, mentioning the fight against corruption.

"It is clear that Ukraine is making impressive progress towards the EU. The European Union is important for Ukraine, and Ukraine is important for the EU. As a member of the Union, Ukraine will make it stronger, safer, and more competitive," said Ulrik Tiedström, Sweden's Special Representative for Reconstruction, Business, and Development in Ukraine.

• On March 26, the Executive Director of the DEJURE Foundation, Mykhailo Zhernakov, outlined the key challenges for Ukraine’s EU accession, particularly in the context of judicial reform.