EU Sets Ultimatum for Candidate Countries: Ditch Russia Ties or Risk Losing Membership Bid, Türkiye Fires Back
- A total of ten countries are now candidates for joining the EU.
- The European Union is linking future admissions to a breach between the applicant countries and Russia.
- Borrell presented the annual report on the progress of the ten candidate countries, which include the six countries of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Turkey.
EU Accession Process: Not All Candidates on Track
A total of ten countries are now candidates for joining the EU. However, not all candidates are following the plan consistently, according to EU officials in Brussels.
EU Links Future Admissions to Relations with Russia
The European Union is linking future admissions to a breach between the applicant countries and Russia. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated that candidate countries cannot maintain relations with Russia “and expect their own country to become part of the European Union.”
Borrell Presents Annual Report on Candidate Countries
Borrell presented the annual report on the progress of the ten candidate countries, which include the six countries of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Turkey.
Georgia and Turkey Criticized for Relations with Russia
Borrell called on Georgia to investigate the “serious irregularities” in the recent parliamentary election. He also criticized Turkey for cooperating less and less in foreign policy, citing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s participation in a summit of Bric states under the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin.
EU to Move Forward with Ukraine’s Accession Process
The EU wants to move forward quickly with the accession process with Ukraine. Significant admission negotiations are expected to take place “as soon as possible,” according to the Commission. However, Hungary is currently preventing any significant progress under its Presidency of the Council of the EU.