Albanian PM says EU is lying to Ukraine about membership prospects

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has sharply criticised the EU's approach to Ukraine's accession negotiations.

Source: European Pravda, citing Rama in an interview for Welt

Details: Rama was discussing the EU's accession process for the Western Balkans. He pointed out that back in 1989, East Germany was not expected to meet the demands of all 33 negotiating chapters.

Rama said the EU is likely to demand even more effort from the Western Balkan countries, but they still want to be part of it. He pointed to Ukraine as an example of a country that is being lied to.

Rama added that Ukraine will never be accepted through the standard accession process by fulfilling all the criteria and everyone knows this. He said a realistic solution would be to involve Ukraine in negotiations right now and grant it full membership based on merit.

Background:

• On 1 October, a bill on education in the languages of national minorities was registered in the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament). Its adoption is expected to help lift Hungary's veto and clear the way for two of the negotiating clusters to be opened.
• Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has expressed hope that the passing of the bill will lead to Hungary unblocking the next two clusters in Ukraine's EU accession talks.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.