‘We must prove to Kyiv that we haven't abandoned it’ – Czech Minister Dvořák on Ukraine's accession to EU

Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák said this in an interview with ČTK, Ceske Noviny reports.

According to Dvořák, it is difficult to predict whether accession talks will begin by the end of the year.

"Ukrainians have a very positive approach to their homework and are fulfilling it. Whether they will be far enough in October to start accession negotiations in December, I cannot tell you now," he said, referring to the October deadline for Ukraine to receive an official assessment of its reform progress.

"We should always prove to Ukraine in a tangible way that we have not abandoned them, that they are on the right path and that if they continue this way, they will reach the goal they want," added Dvořák.

He also noted that after Ukraine moved much closer to EU membership following the Russian invasion, some Balkan countries worried that their European ambitions were falling behind.

According to Dvořák, even the old EU members realize that the Balkans cannot be lost. Like French President Emmanuel Macron, the minister believes that the EU cannot afford to leave the region in instability, otherwise a big problem could arise.