The Prime Minister said this Monday that Portugal supports the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, taking into account the recommendations of the European Commission, but said that progress must also be made in the process of enlargement into the Western Balkans.
During the preparatory debate for the European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday, Antonio Costa said that one of the main topics at the summit will be the enlargement of the European Union (EU), noting that the government’s position on the issue “is quite clear.”
The Chief Executive noted that the Executive’s understanding is that “all enlargement processes must be assessed on merits and in accordance with the assessment made by the European Commission.”
“If the European Commission understands that it is necessary to take a new step towards opening negotiations with Ukraine, Portugal will follow the example of the European Commission and support progress in the process of European integration of Ukraine,” he emphasized.
However, the Prime Minister stressed that it is “impossible to separate” the process of Ukrainian enlargement from the candidacies of the Western Balkan countries, recalling that last week he made an official visit to Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro, during which this was precisely the central topic.
“We all understand that it is necessary and possible to take steps forward with the goal of the expansion process,” he said.
Portugal, Costa added, “has a great advantage” in dialogue with countries in the region, taking into account that due to “geographical distance, history and cultural reasons” it is not “the godfather of any of the Western Balkan countries.” countries” and looks “at everyone with the same objectivity.”
“And so we can be honest and forthright partners in identifying challenges and providing political, technical and financial support to overcome those challenges,” he said.
Anticipating a “long and difficult” European Council meeting that will likely not end on Friday, Costa nevertheless expressed hope that the summit would lead to “the EU’s commitment to the expectations it has created for Ukraine and the Western Balkan countries.”
This is “the result of a political and moral imperative, as well as a correct understanding of the geopolitical challenges facing the EU”, he said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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