Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's EU Integration, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, congratulated Ukraine's western neighbours and the Baltic countries on the twentieth anniversary of joining the European Union. She noted that this step was based on a clear choice of the western vector by these states and unwavering adherence to it.

“The past two decades were the time of the most rapid development for them. These countries have changed beyond recognition. Looking back, it is sad to realise how many opportunities we have lost; what a terrible price was paid for the irresponsibility of politicians who manipulated the post-totalitarian society when it needed leadership instead of populism. Of course, we were not in the same conditions as our western neighbours — the red occupation has not lasted there so long and has not destroyed the national identity of millions. At the same time, I am sure that with proper governance, we could be in a better position now,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She expressed her hope that during the next decade, Ukraine will be able not only to retain its statehood, but also to correct the mistakes of the first years of independence. “We simply have no other choice. One needs to finally grow up and stop believing in fairy tales. We will be in the EU and NATO, not due to slogans and simple solutions, but because of hard daily work and education,” said the Chair of the Committee.

The fifth wave of the EU expansion in 2004 was the largest in terms of territory, number of states and population that became part of the EU. Then Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined the European Union.

Today, on the twentieth anniversary of the EU enlargement, the leaders of the Baltic states called on the European Union to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova already in June 2024.