The Austrian Chancellor stressed that the feeling from the current debate on Ukraine’s accession to the EU should not prevail, adding that Ukraine’s rapid accession “is unrealistic”.
The Austrian Chancellor Carl Nehamer called today for an intermediate stage between cooperation and full integration into European Union for countries such as Ukraine and Moldova.
The so-called “preparatory period” will allow countries to reach European Union standards, similar to the European Economic Area or the European Free Trade Association, Nehamer said.
“We are united by the same goal, we all want a strong, independent and economically successful Ukraine,” Nehamer said in a statement issued by the chancellor’s office.
“Right now, the Ukraine fights for its political and territorial survival. All our efforts are primarily aimed at ending Russia’s aggressive war. “In such a phase, rapid full membership of the Union can not be a pressing issue anyway.”
Nehamer stressed that emotion should not prevail from the current debate on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, adding that Ukraine’s rapid accession ‘unrealistic’.
“We must create a European preparatory area, which will make it possible to gradually strengthen cooperation with the EU and better adapt to European standards,” the Austrian chancellor said.
Austria followed a similar path for decades with European free trade agreements before joining the EU in 1995, he noted.
Last month the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Koulempa He said that Kyiv is tired of “special solutions” and separate models for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and wants full membership.
Nehamer also said he supported the idea of ​​French President Emanuel Macron to create a new type of political community in countries that aspire to join the European bloc or want closer ties and a commitment to EU values.
Kyiv has expressed concern that such a community could be used as an alternative to accession.
