Ukraine expects EU accession talks to start in the first half of this year - Shmyhal
Kyiv • UNN
Ukraine expects to start accession negotiations with the EU in the first half of 2024 after the European Council approves the negotiation framework.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that negotiations on EU accession could begin in the first half of 2024. He said this in an interview with Euractiv, UNN reports.
As reported by UNN, the European Commission on March 12 presented to the EU Council proposals for a draft negotiation framework for Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU.
According to Shmyhal, the EU Council may approve the negotiation framework at its next meeting.
We are waiting for and wishing for the approval of the European Council at the next meeting (this week - ed.) and believe that we will be able to start negotiations on EU accession in the first half of this year
He also expressed hope that the EU Council will approve the negotiation framework without additional amendments proposed by the European Commission.
"The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, called 2030 a possible target year for further EU enlargement, but we will do everything possible for Ukraine to make it happen earlier, immediately after our victory," Shmyhal said.
He also added: "We will do our homework very quickly - I think it will take us no more than two years.