Amsterdam protest banner. Photo: DutchNews.nl
The Netherlands supports Ukraine’s candidate for EU accession, Foreign Minister Wopke Fukstra said after a cabinet meeting on Friday.
“It’s about sending a signal that we won’t leave Ukraine alone,” Hoekstra told reporters. “The Commission’s proposal justifies the situation in Ukraine and we intend to do this.”
Ursula von der Leyen, chairman of the Commission, said on Friday that Brussels recommended giving Ukraine the status of a candidate. She said she did a “good job”, although she needed more about the rule of law, oligarchy, human rights, and tackling corruption.
The announcement was made the day after German, French, Italian and Romanian leaders visited Kieu to support Ukraine’s bid for EU accession.
Overall, the Commission’s proposal is “balanced,” Hoekstra said, adding that he hopes the rest of the EU and the European Parliament will support it. “Symbols can be very important, especially during war,” Hoekstra said.
The Netherlands opposed giving Ukraine the status of a swift candidate and wanted to impose additional conditions on the Commission.
Ukraine’s accession to the EU was the subject of a 2016 advisory referendum organized by the far-right party, after which some supporters acknowledged that EU accession to the Netherlands, not Ukraine, was a real issue. I did.
Nevertheless, the turnout of the referendum in April was 32%, which was sufficient for the results to have legal weight. About 62% of those who voted opposed the treaty.
EU leaders will discuss Ukraine’s pending membership at the summit next Thursday.
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