Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have witnessed very good progress on the EU issue and the membership application by Ukraine to join the European Union. Ukraine has made significant progress in fulfilling the key recommendations set out for it. In June 2022 candidate status was granted to Ukraine on the understanding that it would undertake reforms. On 8 November 2023, the European Commission published its annual enlargement package report which featured Ukraine for the first time. The Commission has recommended opening accession negotiations with Ukraine so the December European Council meeting will have to take a unanimous decision to follow up on the Commission’s recommendations to open negotiations with Ukraine.

In our view, it has to remain a merit-based procedure although I believe strongly in Ukraine joining the European Union. It is best for Ukrainians and we have witnessed the transformative impact of European Union membership.

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