Shmyhal: Ukraine has advanced with 4 additional EU requirements on its way to membership, expects European Council decision next week

The Verkhovna Rada passed three European integration bills, and the government supported a fourth on lobbying, to fulfill the four additional steps the EU has set for Ukraine on its way to membership in the bloc. Now Ukraine is counting on the European Council's final decision next week to start negotiations. This was announced on Friday by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, UNN reports.

Details

Shmyhal reminded that last month the European Commission made a historic decision - it recommended starting negotiations with Ukraine on EU membership. And that at the same time, the European Union identified four additional steps that are important for effective progress.

Without delay, we have prepared the necessary legislation - an unprecedented step that has been highly appreciated by our partners. And today, the parliament has already supported three European integration initiatives. (...) Also yesterday, the government fulfilled the fourth recommendation - adopted a bill on lobbying,

According to him, in the second reading, MPs voted for a government bill that strengthens the NABU's capacity and a government bill to empower the NACP. In addition, the draft law on national minorities, which takes into account expert assessments of the Council of Europe, was adopted in general. "We thank the MPs for supporting these initiatives!" he wrote.

As for another step, he said that yesterday the government fulfilled the fourth recommendation - "adopted a draft law on lobbying, which takes into account the modern European approach and proposals of civil society."

Ukraine is moving rapidly toward the EU. We expect that next week the European Council will make a final decision on the start of official negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union,

To recap, on December 8, the parliament passed three laws necessary for Ukraine's path to the EU.