Institutional Affairs, Ukraine
by Lena Tomalik

Ukraine and Moldova are EU candidates

Marek Studzinski | Unsplash

Ukraine and Moldova are now officially candidates for joining the European Union. This is the conclusion reached by EU leaders at the European An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council summit on Thursday, 23 June.

In light of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Ukraine decided to apply for EU membership on 28 February, only five days after the Russian invasion started. Moldova, feeling threatened by Russia due to its position as a direct neighbour of Ukraine, followed suit on 8 March:

EU Parliament supports Moldova’s move towards EU membership

fROM APPLICANTS TO CANDIDATES

The process from applying for candidate status to becoming an official candidate is complex, but an important step toward membership. Let’s take Ukraine as an example:

28 February – Ukraine submits its application for membership to the European Union

1 March – the The EU’s directly elected legislative body comprised of 705 members. It is involved in policymaking but it does not have the power to propose new legislation. European Parliament adopts a A non-binding political text adopted by an institution (e.g. the Parliament) expressing a position on a topic or assessing an event, possibly demanding action. resolution asking EU institutions to “work towards” granting Ukraine candidate status

7 March – the An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council requests the Commission to give an Opinion on Ukraine’s application

17 June – the Commission publishes its opinion on the application, acknowledging existing partnerships with Ukraine and the progress it has already made towards fulfilling the criteria needed for EU membership. It recommends to the European An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council that the status of candidate country should be granted

23 June – in its plenary session, the The EU’s directly elected legislative body comprised of 705 members. It is involved in policymaking but it does not have the power to propose new legislation. European Parliament adopts another A non-binding political text adopted by an institution (e.g. the Parliament) expressing a position on a topic or assessing an event, possibly demanding action. resolution asking EU leaders to grant candidate status to Ukraine. Later that day, the European An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council satisfies the Parliament’s request and grants Ukraine the candidate status

What’s next?

While this is an important step towards membership, it does not mean that Ukraine and Moldova have a guaranteed place in the EU any time soon. French leader Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated in May that the way towards accession for Ukraine might take years, if not decades. Last night, however, both congratulated Ukraine and Moldova on their newly-awarded candidate status.

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