The European Commission announced on Friday that Ukraine and Moldova have met all the requirements needed to start negotiating the countries’ EU membership.

European Commission Spokesperson Ana Pisonero confirmed at a press conference that all the necessary criteria had been met by the two countries and that the decision to adopt the negotiation framework and move forward with the process now lies with them.

The measures established by the two countries to meet the criteria were also indicated. On the one hand, the commission found that Ukraine has made a considerable effort regarding the fight against corruption by enacting a law proposed by the government to increase the staffing cap for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). Ukraine also enacted a law regulating lobbying in line with European standards, and the Ukrainian parliament amended laws regarding the rights of national minorities to provide adequate rules concerning education.

On the other hand, Moldova has also made significant progress by establishing a merit-based and transparent process regarding the selection of members in its supreme court and the bodies of judicial self-governance. Furthermore, the country has assigned adequate resources and structures to the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office.

Both Ukraine and Moldova became EU candidates in 2022. The European Commission stated that both countries had since implemented relevant decisions and now the remaining steps are related to their implementation, which is something the commission will monitor.

If the countries implement the aforementioned measures and become members of the international organization, their citizens will enjoy benefits such as the ability to live, work and travel across 27 EU countries. Joining the EU, a global power, would also secure access to trade deals, support their economies and protect their citizens’ rights as well as the environment.