Von der Leyen says there will be no "shortcuts" on Ukraine's path to the EU

BRUSSELS, June 8 (EUROPA PRESS) -

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said this Wednesday that there will be no "shortcuts" in the accession process that Ukraine aspires to complete with the European Union, although she has expressed confidence that she will be able to follow that path if investments are given for its reconstruction and the necessary reforms.

"The signal that there will be no shortcuts for Ukraine is important, the conditions must be met, but if we invest and combine it with reforms, that will build Ukraine's path to the EU," Von der Leyen said in a debate with the plenary session of the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg (France).

The head of the Community Executive has stressed that the European Union and Ukraine "know a lot about each other" because the cooperation that existed before the Russian invasion through the Association Agreement made it possible to advance reforms and intensify cooperation, also within the of a "comprehensive" trade liberalization agreement.

MEPs such as the leader of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber, have demanded a "clear message" at the next summit of EU leaders scheduled for June 23 and 24 that shows the bloc's support for Ukraine, which in their opinion of this MEP happens then to grant the status of candidate for accession.

Von der Leyen has not responded directly to this demand in his reply and has limited himself to pointing out that Ukraine must meet all criteria for entry into the community club provided for in the process, without preferential treatment.

The Heads of State and Government of the European Union will address Ukraine's request to join as a Member State at the June summit, although they are waiting for the Community Executive to issue an opinion on the situation, an assessment of the aspirations of accession that will serve as the basis for the discussion at Twenty-seven.