The Dutch government has stated its readiness to support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership.
Source: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra
Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the European Commission’s recommendation a “reasonable compromise” during a press conference following a government meeting. According to him, both supporters and opponents of Ukraine’s candidacy can agree with this conclusion.
Rutte said the government was pleased that Ukraine had been given “additional homework”. “The system of joining the EU remains in place. At the same time, a signal was sent,” the Prime Minister said.
“As the Cabinet of Ministers, we said: we think this assessment is balanced, we think it is reasonable. So let’s accept it for the sake of unity in Europe. The Netherlands is positive about it,” said Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra.
According to him, years will pass before Ukraine and Moldova can join the EU. The countries must meet the so-called Copenhagen criteria. And there will be no concessions in this process.
“These are not processes that go from today to tomorrow.”
See also: Montenegro, Albania and Northern Macedonia support granting Ukraine EU candidate status
