Obtaining EU candidate status testifies to the success of reforms and significant progress in harmonizing with European standards, – Ukrainian PM

Ukraine has paved a long way to transform into a European country with a free market economy, a developed democracy and respect for human rights and freedoms, emphasized Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, commenting on the decision of the European Council to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for the EU membership.

“A historic day for Ukraine. All 27 member states of the European Union supported granting our country the status of a candidate for EU membership. Ukrainians, with their heroism and devotion to democratic values, have explicitly deserved to be part of a large European family,” Denys Shmyhal emphasized.

The Prime Minister noted that granting the status of a candidate testifies to the success of the reforms and significant progress in approaching European standards. According to him, Ukraine has already begun integration into the EU internal market, signed a visa-free regime in the aviation, energy sectors and has approached to concluding it on the customs, industrial and digital spheres.

“Our candidate status is an important signal to all Ukrainians that our common future is the European Union, and the process of joining the EU will become an integral part of the path towards rebuilding our country. In addition, it opens Ukraine wider access to the EU programs and funds, as well as to attracting new investments, as business will now consider Ukraine as a potential member of the European Union and a promising platform for startups,” said the Prime Minister.

Denys Shmyhal stressed that the further accession of our country to the EU would be beneficial for all parties. In his opinion, Ukraine can guarantee European food security, accelerate the green transition and reduce energy dependence on russia, as well as make a significant contribution to the economic development and digitalization of Europe.

The Prime Minister thanked the European Council for the positive decision: “We count on the support of our partners from the EU in achieving high membership criteria and rebuilding the country.”