It is critical for us that no form of integration substitutes full membership in the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU met with Gaël Veyssière, Ambassador of France to Ukraine. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze informed that Ukraine fulfilled more than 95% of the requirements that accompanied the granting of candidate status for joining the European Union. “We hope for a positive conclusion and a decision to open negotiations on membership already this year. This requires a unanimous decision of EU member states. We hope that France will not only support this decision but also help in communication with other countries,” said the Chair of the Committee. She expressed hope that Ukraine's European integration will not become a hostage to the process of internal reforms in the EU. “It is critical for us that no form of integration substitutes full membership. Because only full membership in the EU is our goal,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

Gaël Veyssière emphasised that President Emmanuel Macron clearly stated that France wants to see Ukraine in the EU. And the reform of the European Union should not make countries seeking to join wait for it to be completed. The ambassador noted that France's position is also that the candidate countries could take advantage of closer cooperation with the EU even before full membership, in particular, the advantages of economic integration.

The Chair of the Committee also emphasised that Ukraine is counting on the support of the European Union even after the opening of negotiations, because this is a complex process that will require a lot of institutional work, and therefore, coordination and assistance from the EU. According to Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the increased attention of the European Union will help Ukraine to complete reforms and preserve the assets that have already been achieved.