The European Union is set to present a report on progress made by Ukraine in its membership bid on 8 November, three officials familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The annual assessment by the European Commission based on the Copenhagen criteria is a key stepping stone in the bloc’s decision on whether to start accession talks with Kyiv.
How close is Ukraine to becoming an EU member?
Ukraine applied for EU membership in February 2022 and was granted EU candidate status in June 2022.
Experts convened by the New Europe center who have checked the progress in implementing the list of EU recommendations in 2022-2023, say Ukraine has enforced roughly 50% in meeting the objectives underpinning its candidate status – namely, they have Ukraine 5.8 points out of 10.
Based on the annual progress report and the 14-15 December summit, EU leaders will decide on whether to launch formal membership talks with Ukraine.
Kyiv is expected to get a positive recommendation from the EU’s European Commission as a related assessment by the Venice Commission said on 9 October the latest amendments to Ukraine’s law on national minorities were an improvement but more efforts were needed.
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