France reassures Ukraine it will be part of European Union

div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpBy John Irishp

pPARIS Reuters – Ukraine will eventually be part of the European Union, Frances Europe minister said on Tuesday, reassuring Kyiv that an initiative to forge closer ties between the bloc and aspiring members would not replace their bids to join. pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

pFrench President Emmanuel Macron earlier this month suggested creating a “European political community” that would create a new structure allowing closer cooperation with countries seeking EU membership.p

p“I am convinced that Ukraine will be part of the European Union,” Clement Beaune told reporters. “We know with honesty that it takes time and in this time we cant allow ourselves to simply wait. We have to nurture the European hope.” p

pBeaune, who earlier this week said it could take 1520 years for Ukraine to join added that the project “was not an alternative.” p

pSpeaking alongside Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for European and EuroAtlantic Integration, he said the next step would be to discuss the details of the initiative with European partners. p

pThe aim is to create a community of countries who aspire to join the bloc or wish closer ties and adhere to the EUs core values in areas such as political cooperation, security, cooperation in energy, transport, investment of infrastructure or circulation of people.p

pThe initiative has been received cautiously by some member states given the lack of details. Kyiv has also expressed its concern that it could be used as an alternative to membership.p

pThe European Commission, the bloc‘s executive arm, will give its opinion on Ukraine’s candidacy request in June, but even if approved the process takes several years and can be vetoed by a member state. p

pStefanishyna said after the meeting with Beaune that she had been reassured the idea would not affect Kyivs candidacy. p

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pp Reporting by John Irish Editing by Alexandra Hudsonp

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