The European Union will promote economic ties with Ukraine as an alternative to quickly joining the war-torn country, which is currently not possible.
On Friday, the Ukraine-EU summit is taking place in Kyiv, and expectations from the Ukrainian side are especially high, but unjustified, according to a significant part of the European press.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, a quick accession of Ukraine to the EU may not be possible. “within two years,” as Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal wants, but the economic side of accession can proceed at a rapid pace in order to immediately rebuild the country and restore the Ukrainian economy, which in 2022 shrank by at least 30%.
Brussels is preparing a series of economic and energy deals with Kyiv as a step ahead of future entry into the domestic market when EU integration takes place. According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, reference to these pacts is a central part of Friday’s draft summit statement.
This roadmap for economic integration represents an important gesture of support for Ukraine against the aggressor, Russia. At the same time, Kyiv’s proposed economic-industrial structure represents a more tangible horizon than quick accession, which is politically difficult and strongly opposed by some member states who are asking not to give Ukraine too much hope for full integration. EU
Brussels is weaving a web of economic and industrial pacts to shore up the former Soviet country, strengthen it, help preserve the Ukrainian economy and deepen its relationship with the social club, according to a draft EU summit statement. – Ukrainian.
Ukraine is already receiving natural gas from Europe, and since the beginning of the war it has coordinated its power grid with the European one – together with Moldova. Now there is a question of gradually increasing full inclusion in the electric power grid, in telecommunications (with roaming agreements), as well as in industrial matters.
Thus, Ukraine can become de facto the 28th partner without official accession to the EU, the El Pais newspaper notes 24 hours before the meeting in the Ukrainian capital.
Source: El Pais
Source: Kathimerini
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