Czech minister on Ukraine: the bigger the European Union, the stronger we are

He said that he welcomes the European Commission’s recommendation to start negotiations on Kyiv’s membership in the Community.

“The bigger the European Union is, the stronger we are,” Mr. Lipavsky told reporters on Friday after meeting with Minister Gabriel Landsberg.

He also pointed out that Ukraine still has “homework” to complete.

This is what the Czech minister spoke after the European Commission submitted a recommendation to the member states to start official negotiations on the membership of Ukraine and Moldova in the bloc, and to grant Sakartvel candidate status. However, the final and unanimous decision on this will still have to be made by the leaders of the countries.

The EC praised Ukraine, which was invaded by Russian troops last year, saying the government had “demonstrated extraordinary institutional strength, determination and capacity to act”, but said talks should only begin after corruption, lobbying and a law on national minorities are resolved .

For his part, G. Landsbergis said that although there are countries in the EU that doubt Ukraine’s membership, the EC “has various levers” to convince these members.

Community leaders should decide whether to accept the EC’s recommendations at the December 14-15 summit in Brussels.