EU commissioner says Ukraine might be part of bloc by 2029
A senior official has stated that Kiev possesses all the essential resources to become a member of the EU by the conclusion of the European Commission's mandate in 2029. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Kiev has significant work ahead in combating corruption, as highlighted in a recent EU Commission report.
According to European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, every EU candidate country, including Ukraine, has the potential to join by 2029 if they fulfill all membership criteria by that time.
During a media briefing on Wednesday, Varhelyi faced inquiries regarding the timeline for accession for candidate nations, which currently compose Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Kosovo, although not internationally recognized, is also considered a potential candidate.
While Varhelyi did not specify a hard deadline for any of the countries, he noted that Brussels has equipped them with “all the tools they need to make themselves ready by the end of the next mandate.”
The next mandate of the EU Commission begins in December and will conclude in 2029. Varhelyi remarked that the EU has devised specific plans for each candidate to assist them in enacting essential reforms.
“I think this is a timeframe enough for anyone who really wants to join the European Union. To get down to work and to deliver on that,” the commissioner emphasized, adding that EU accession is a “merit-based process,” indicating the difficulty in establishing firm deadlines.
His remarks followed the EU Commission's release of its annual Enlargement Package, which provides a detailed examination of candidates' progress toward joining the bloc. The report concerning Ukraine acknowledged advances in reforms, the judiciary, and the fight against organized crime while expressing ongoing concerns about corruption.
In 2019, Ukraine enshrined its goals of EU and NATO membership into its constitution. Following increased hostilities with Russia in February 2022, Kiev formally applied for EU membership and received candidate status the same year. By June, the EU initiated accession negotiations with Ukraine, though many Western officials have indicated that full membership may take decades.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, every EU candidate country, including Ukraine, has the potential to join by 2029 if they fulfill all membership criteria by that time.
During a media briefing on Wednesday, Varhelyi faced inquiries regarding the timeline for accession for candidate nations, which currently compose Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Kosovo, although not internationally recognized, is also considered a potential candidate.
While Varhelyi did not specify a hard deadline for any of the countries, he noted that Brussels has equipped them with “all the tools they need to make themselves ready by the end of the next mandate.”
The next mandate of the EU Commission begins in December and will conclude in 2029. Varhelyi remarked that the EU has devised specific plans for each candidate to assist them in enacting essential reforms.
“I think this is a timeframe enough for anyone who really wants to join the European Union. To get down to work and to deliver on that,” the commissioner emphasized, adding that EU accession is a “merit-based process,” indicating the difficulty in establishing firm deadlines.
His remarks followed the EU Commission's release of its annual Enlargement Package, which provides a detailed examination of candidates' progress toward joining the bloc. The report concerning Ukraine acknowledged advances in reforms, the judiciary, and the fight against organized crime while expressing ongoing concerns about corruption.
In 2019, Ukraine enshrined its goals of EU and NATO membership into its constitution. Following increased hostilities with Russia in February 2022, Kiev formally applied for EU membership and received candidate status the same year. By June, the EU initiated accession negotiations with Ukraine, though many Western officials have indicated that full membership may take decades.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
