“Making enlargement a transformative experience for Ukraine”

This article was originally published in English

Accession negotiations between the EU and Ukraine have officially started. However, the launch of the procedure is only a small step in a very long process.

The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council has used all its weight to launch these talks before the Hungarian Presidency of the EU which will begin on 1 July.

Euronews interviewed Teona Lavrelashvili, political scientist at the Catholic University of Louvain and visiting researcher at the Wilfried Martens Center.

Euronews :

The EU started accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova a few days before Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the Council. Is this a coincidence?

Teona Lavrelashvili :

I would say that this is not a coincidence. We know in fact that Hungary’s priority concerns the Western Balkans, and more particularly Serbia. So I think the EU leaders were, let’s say, constructive and intelligent enough to start accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine before the Hungarian presidency.

Euronews :

The opening of negotiations is only a small step in the long journey towards accession. Can Hungary derail the process again?

Teona Lavrelashvili :

You have very clearly noticed the longevity of the stages. Regarding the role of Hungary, of course we need to see the overall situation and observe who will take over the Enlargement portfolio (in the next European Commission). But I would say that, yes, Hungary will still have some tools to influence the enlargement process in the coming months.

Euronews :

Besides Hungary, there is another obstacle to enlargement, namely a certain weariness towards Ukraine in some countries. What is the danger for Kyiv?

Teona Lavrelashvili :

To some extent, it is dangerous in the long term. But in the short term, I would say that the negotiations on enlargement, opening and closing chapters, that is, the bureaucratic and technical process, will continue. And I think this is a huge opportunity for Ukraine, but also for Moldova, because it will give and grant these countries a huge window of opportunity for their rapprochement with the European Union. And, of course, we know that expertise is lacking. I think we have to be clear in this regard, especially when it comes to the environment and agriculture. And I think Brussels will also have to help these countries a lot.

Euronews :

When can we reasonably expect Ukraine to become an EU member state?

Teona Lavrelashvili :

This is a delicate issue. And I think we cannot set a deadline or a timetable for this, because it depends on many factors. On the one hand, we have the political will of the European Union, on the other hand, the ball is in the hands and in the court of Ukraine. It depends on the pace of reforms, but also on the security situation, I would say, how it will evolve because we have not discussed one of the most important obstacles to EU integration. Enlargement as such will be accompanied by security considerations, in addition to budgetary considerations on the EU side. So there are challenges. That is why I would say it is delicate to set a concrete deadline. But, again, the most important thing is to make the most of the enlargement negotiation process itself and to make enlargement a transformative experience for Ukraine, but also for the other enlargement countries.