Written answers

Thursday, 10 July 2025

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

EU Enlargement

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had regarding Ukraine joining the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38052/25]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s EU accession, and we continue to advocate at European level for progression Ukraine’s accession path. Not only do I firmly believe that EU membership is the best security guarantee we can offer to Ukraine, it is also in the strategic interests of Ireland and the EU to maintain peace, stability and prosperity across the European continent.

I have been impressed by the reforms Ukraine has undertaken to date, despite the extremely challenging circumstances. Reforms are essential to ensure that all candidate countries are prepared for the rigours of EU membership from the moment of accession. Ireland will continue to support Ukraine to implement the necessary reforms in the period ahead.

Hungary’s decision to block progress on Ukraine’s candidacy is very frustrating. We believe in a merit-based accession process, which should not be stymied by bilateral disputes. The European Commission has assessed that Ukraine is sufficiently ready to open the fundamentals cluster. The Hungarian government’s anti-Ukraine campaign, including the overtly biased “national consultation” on Ukraine’s EU accession, is regrettable.

In discussions at Foreign Affairs Council, General Affairs Council and European Council, Ireland’s message is clear that we want to see concrete progress on Ukraine’s EU accession. At the European Council in June, Leaders from 26 EU Member States, including Ireland, reiterated clear support for Ukraine’s path towards EU membership, and invited the Council to take the next steps in the accession process in line with the merit-based approach.

This message was also conveyed by Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, who met with Deputy Prime Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister for Justice, Olha Stefanishyna, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yevhen Perebyinis, during a visit to Ukraine in April. He took the opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s commitment to Ukraine’s future within the EU, and to express our frustration at the delay to which Ukraine’s candidacy is currently being subjected.

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