Ukraine's accession process[/B] to the European Union[/B] will take 15-20 years[/B] and in the meantime Kiev could join the European political community as proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, European Affairs Minister Clemente Bon said today.
"We have to be honest. If we say that Ukraine will join the EU in 6 months, in one or two years, it will be a lie. It is not true. It will undoubtedly take 15-20 years, it's a long time," Bon said, speaking to Radio J.
"I don't want to sell the Ukrainians fallacies and lies. If we say to Ukrainians 'Welcome to the EU' but you didn't read the contract, in the small print it says 'It will be in 15 years', I believe we will dash the hopes of a whole generation of the Ukrainian people," he continued.
"In anticipation, we owe the Ukrainians (...) a political project that they can join," he continued, explaining that the European political community proposed by Macron is "complementary to the EU" and can offer a concrete political project to the countries that want to join.
Divided European Union
The issue of EU enlargement, with the accession of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, is dividing the EU. That is why French President Macron proposed on May 9 the creation of a "new European body" in which candidate countries could temporarily participate until accession procedures are completed.
In another interview, with Les Echos newspaper and Europe 1 and CNews stations, Bon said that France's goal is "to avoid a Russian victory" and "to liberate Ukraine." "We are providing the means for Ukraine, without being at war ourselves, to resist (...) to be liberated. And the Ukrainians did not cause the war with Russia, they seek their liberation (...). It is legitimate, we support them. It is not only a moral duty. If Europe didn't do it, it would be like saying go ahead, Putin's Russia can do what it wants. It would be dangerous for our security," Bon added.
Source: APE
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