Seimas states that the accelerated procedure for accession to the EU must be applied to Ukraine without any reservations
Press release, 10 March 2022
By stressing that the granting of candidate status to Ukraine at this time would be an important sign of moral support for its people, who are defending their homeland and right to determine the future of the country by risking their own lives, the Seimas believes that the accelerated procedure for accession to the European Union must be applied to Ukraine without any reservations. The related Resolution was adopted unanimously by 123 votes in favour.
‘Ukraine has been seeking membership of the European Union for more than a decade and for the last five years Ukraine has been bound to the European Union by an Association Agreement; therefore, this state’s application for membership of the European Union is the result of its persistence in European integration aspirations,’ the Resolution reads.
In support of granting of candidate status to Ukraine and its future full membership of the EU, the Seimas invited all the EU Member States to do so. At the same time, the Lithuanian parliament reaffirmed its readiness to provide Ukraine with all assistance in seeking membership of the EU.
The Seimas is convinced that the admission of a country whose people have shown incredible will and determination in the fight for European values will inspire and strengthen the EU itself.
On 28 February 2022, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky officially applied for Ukraine’s membership of the EU in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union.
Rimas Rudaitis, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]
Rimas Rudaitis