Ukraine, Moldova begin final stage of joining EU

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday wished Moldova and Ukraine luck in their accession negotiations with the European Union. It’s the third and final stage of the process for applicant countries to join the EU. The negotiations typically have taken most countries several years to complete, according to the Pew Research Center. The process aims to prepare countries for the responsibilities of becoming member states in the union, von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

How have Ukraine and Moldova fared in this process? Both Ukraine and Moldova applied to become EU member states within weeks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In June 2022, the European Commission granted both candidacy status. Both countries have taken steps to improve their democratic institutions and government infrastructure, according to the European Union. Ukraine has taken steps to crack down on corruption and establish justice within its court system, the EU has said. Moldova took steps to increase its national and energy security, and increase its transportation connections to other European countries, according to the EU.

What sorts of responsibilities do members have? The EU requires applicant countries to prove:

• They have stable institutions that can guarantee democracy.

• They possess market-driven economies that can compete with the rest of the larger European economy.

• They are able to implement EU laws and regulations.

What are the first two stages of the EU process? A country seeking to join the coalition must first apply to the European Commission, which then assesses the country’s compatibility with the union. The commission then decides whether to grant the country candidate status. All EU member states then must approve the Commission’s decision. If approved, the country then moves onto the membership negotiation stage where it begins to implement EU laws and regulations. The European Commission monitors its progress.

Once the Commission is satisfied that the country is ready to become a member, it begins drafting an accession treaty. After the European Commission approves the treaty, all EU member states must also sign and ratify it. The treaty typically sets a date for the country to become an EU member state.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Muncy’s report on The World and Everything in It podcast about the challenges facing Ursula von der Leyen when it comes to keeping her position as the European Commission’s president.