cs flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by CTK.

Czechia introduced a plan for the integration of Ukraine and Moldova into the EU internal market

by AI | 28.Jan 2025 | Europe in brief AI

So far, the Czechs have managed to gain the support of nine other European Union countries.

EU flags flutter in the wind in front of the buildings of the EU Council and the European Council in Brussels. Photo: © European Union

Brussels – The Czech Republic today presented a plan in Brussels for the gradual integration of Ukraine and Moldova into the European Union’s internal market. According to the Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák, the plan focuses on specific proposals for deepening cooperation, especially in energy, telecommunications, environment, or agriculture. So far, the Czechs have managed to gain the support of nine other European Union countries.

“I presented the Czech initiative, which aims to assist Moldova and Ukraine in faster integration into the internal market. We believe this is an important step that could accelerate the whole process,” said Dvořák. According to him, the plan is beneficial for both sides, meaning “for the aspiring countries, which will have easier access to our markets, and for us, because we will have another part of the market that will be freely accessible.” So far, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and Denmark have supported the Czech Republic.

According to the Czech Minister, the acceleration of integration will rely on “our technical assistance, closer cooperation, the establishment of working groups, and the creation of contacts.” “Both countries are prepared to continue working on convergence and implementing EU standards with the aim, among other things, of deepening their integration into the European Union,” says the so-called non-paper, an unofficial document for further discussion, which ČTK has access to. Further economic integration through free trade agreements would significantly support Moldova and Ukraine “in their efforts to resist the harmful influence of Russia,” the document adds. According to the Czech Republic, both countries would also receive tangible rewards and be more motivated to continue working on reforms.

During the Belgian presidency in the first half of 2024, the official start of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova was negotiated. Subsequently, the so-called screening started, a process between the European Commission (EC) and the candidate state, where national legislation is assessed, and areas where national legislation needs to align with union legislation, the so-called acquis, are identified. Screening is a necessary prerequisite for opening so-called clusters, which always include several accession chapters. It is possible that this screening will be completed during the Polish presidency, which is in this semester. (January 28)