European Integration

On February 28, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Ukraine's application for membership in the European Union. The application was submitted under a simplified procedure, which significantly shortens the time for considering a candidate country. The next day, Ukraine became a candidate for accession, entering the home stretch of the long road to European integration.

Ukraine's European integration – what will change

European integration is the convergence of our state with the European Union at the legislative level and in everyday rules and customs. It is also Ukraine's opportunity to prove once and for all that it is a European country and shares common values with the countries that have already joined the EU.

As early as the Revolution of Dignity, Ukrainians defended their interest in European integration – and since 2014 this course has been confirmed at the official level.

European integration has a number of advantages for the Ukrainian people. First of all, these are the freedoms and principles of European society, economic reliability and transparent legislative and executive systems.

Among the other positive changes that European integration will bring:

• Protection against corruption;

• Visa-free travel to most European countries;

• Protection of consumer rights and human rights;

• Easier opportunities to study abroad.

European integration is nearing its logical conclusion

Since the end of February, the European Commission has been considering Ukraine as a potential EU member state. All EU member states have already agreed on the assessment of the Association Agreement, on which they will rely when making the final decision.

An informal meeting of the European Union will take place in Paris on March 10–11. It is likely that EU members may consider Ukraine's application.