The European Commission has confirmed receipt of a letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urging the exploration of “innovative solutions” to expedite Ukraine’s path to European Union membership before full accession is achieved. This information was shared by the Commission’s press office.
In a statement, the Commission acknowledged the letter, emphasizing the importance of ongoing discussions among member states regarding the future expansion of the EU. A spokesperson remarked, “This demonstrates that member states are also strongly committed to making enlargement a reality as soon as possible.”
The Commission has increasingly framed enlargement as a “geostrategic investment” in the security, peace, and prosperity of the EU, asserting that Ukraine’s membership is fundamentally linked to the Union’s security. However, officials in Brussels stressed that any proposed “innovative solutions” must adhere to the principle of merit, meaning that candidate countries must meet necessary criteria for accession.
Previously, Radio Free Europe reported that Chancellor Merz, in his correspondence with EU leadership and the president of Cyprus, which currently holds the EU presidency, called for swift progress in Ukraine’s membership, identifying it as a leading candidate among aspiring nations. Merz characterized EU expansion as a geopolitical necessity but acknowledged that the accession process has been prolonged, leading to growing frustration among both candidate countries and current member states. He proposed seeking “innovative solutions” in light of the potential delays in Ukraine’s full EU membership.
The European Commission has confirmed a letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocating for quicker steps toward Ukraine's EU membership. The Commission views enlargement as crucial for the EU's security and stability, while emphasizing that any expedited processes must still meet established criteria.
Source: Radio Free Europe