Like Ukraine, Georgia (3.7 million inhabitants) and Moldova (2.6 million inhabitants) now want to join the EU. Moldovan President Maia Sandu signed a corresponding motion. According to a statement in the capital Chisinau, she said: “In the current difficult situation, we must act quickly and clearly to ensure a European future, freedom and democracy for our citizens.”
“The application for EU membership is another milestone on georgia way of European integration,” Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told the civil.ge portal. “Georgia is a European country. Throughout its long history, our country has always belonged to the European cultural and civilized area and continues to make a valuable contribution to its protection and development.”
According to Brussels, Ukraine’s request has already reached the EU Council and has been forwarded to the EU Commission. This should now give an initial assessment. This usually takes one to one and a half years, said the EU representative.
However, the EU Commission is calling for the EU heads of state and government to deal with Ukraine’s request first. That must be debated at the highest political level, said a Commission spokesman. According to information from EU circles, the question will be discussed at the informal summit of the 27 heads of state and government next week in France. Ultimately, it is the EU countries that decide whether to join the European Union.
