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EU candidate status for Ukraine ‘seems certain’: Polish FM

20.06.2022 23:00
Poland’s foreign minister has said that it “seems certain” that the European Union will grant Ukraine candidate status to join the bloc. 
Polands top diplomat Zbigniew Rau (second from right) takes part in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, on Monday, June 20, 2022.
Poland's top diplomat Zbigniew Rau (second from right) takes part in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, on Monday, June 20, 2022.Twitter/Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Zbigniew Rau’s words came after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Poland’s top diplomat told reporters: “There was discussion about EU candidate status for Ukraine and the conclusion is that it would be difficult to assume now that the status won’t be granted. There was indeed agreement on this issue.”

He added: “It seems certain that EU candidate status will be granted to Ukraine.”

The EU’s executive last week recommended that the bloc grant Ukraine candidate status.

The decision requires the unanimous approval of the 27 heads of state and government on the European Council.

The Council is expected to discuss the issue at a summit in Brussels later this week, according to officials.

Ukrainian ports should be unblocked 'by military means'

Rau also raised the issue of the Russian blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

The blockade means that Ukraine, one of the world’s top grain exporters, has not been able to bring its harvest to the world.

Earlier this month, the United Nations warned that the number of people suffering from acute hunger could rise by 47 million worldwide if the war in Ukraine continued.

Poland’s top diplomat commented: “Probably an attempt should first be made to unblock these ports by military means.” 

He added that it was a question of supplying Ukraine with weapons of sufficient firing range “to force the Russian fleet in the Black Sea to stop its blockade.”

Ukraine could then resume exporting its grain by sea, Rau said. 

Monday was day 117 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP