Starting EU membership talks this year’s top priority: Zelensky

Kiev: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said starting talks on joining the European Union this year is a top priority for his country. According to the presidential press service, Zelensky, participating in a meeting of the College of the European Commission via a video link on Tuesday, said, “Ukraine is ready for a political decision to start negotiations on EU membership this year Staying is the top priority.”

Zelensky said Ukraine is currently implementing the European Commission’s seven recommendations as quickly as possible so that a political decision can be taken to pave the way for membership negotiations. Ukraine is particularly implementing constitutional justice reforms and strengthening anti-corruption efforts, he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the meeting and expressed her support for joining the European Union. EU leaders accepted Ukraine as a candidate for membership in the bloc in June 2022.