June 23 (SeeNews) - The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday said it adopted a resolution calling on the European Council to grant EU candidate status to Moldova and Ukraine.
With 529 votes to 45 and 14 abstentions, the EP adopted a resolution calling on the European Council to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova without delay, the EP said in a press release.
Georgia should become a candidate too once it completes the necessary reforms, it added.
"In the context of the brutal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, this move would equate to showing leadership, resolve and vision, say MEPs. They insist that there is no ‘fast-track’ for EU membership and that accession remains a merit-based and structured process, which requires EU membership criteria to be fulfilled and is dependent on the effective implementation of reforms," the press release reads.
The EP invited the authorities of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to "unambiguously demonstrate their political determination to implement the European ambitions of their people", accelerating reforms in order to effectively fulfill the criteria for EU membership as soon as possible.
Ukrainians, Moldovans and Georgians deserve to live in free, democratic and prosperous countries that are proud and committed members of the European family, MEPs state, urging the European Council to take an important first step towards fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of the citizens of these three countries.
The resolution stresses that there is no alternative to enlargement, which is "more than ever a geostrategic investment" in a stable, strong and united EU. The prospect of full EU membership for the countries striving to become member states is in the European Union’s own political, economic and security interests. MEPs demand that the enlargement process be "re-energised" and unblocked as regards the Western Balkans.
Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia applied for EU membership in the wake of the Russian attack against Ukraine. On June 17 the Commission published opinions on the three applications, recommending that the Council confirm Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s perspectives of becoming member states of the EU.
The issue is on the agenda of the Council which meets on Thursday and on Friday in Brussels.