European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, grants candidate status to Georgia
Date: 17/12/23
On 14–15 December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. This was a landmark moment for the people of both countries, who have consistently shown their European conviction. EU leaders also decided to grant Georgia candidate country status.
The decisions were in line with the European Commission’s recommendations presented in its enlargement report on 8 November. President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated the decision and highlighted the strategic dimension of the moment:
The reasons for enlargement today have never been stronger and more compelling. In a world that is shaken by multiple crises, it is an investment in stability and security of our continent. It is also an investment in prosperity for our continent.
President Ursula von der Leyen
President von der Leyen reminded European Council members of the need to agree on a revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Amidst the successive crises of the past years, the EU hasextensively mobilised its budget to provide the necessary support and answers, the president said. “But we have now come to the limits of our budget to answer these unexpected crises,” she stressed.
The president described the European Commission’s proposal for targeted reinforcements in a limited number of priority areas, including the EU’s support to Ukraine, migration, and the EU’s competitiveness.
Despite strong agreement by 26 Member States on providing additional financing for those priorities, unanimity was not reached. EU leaders would revert to this matter at the beginning of next year. President von der Leyensaid that, whatever the outcome at the next European Council meeting, there will be “an operational solution”.
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