Polish president hails 'historic decision' by EU to open accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova

Poland's president has hailed a "historic decision" by European Union leaders to start accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.

Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak

EU heads of state and government on Thursday agreed to open membership negotiations with Ukraine, in a major boost for Kyiv and a blow to Russia, after overcoming months of opposition from Hungary.

At a summit in Brussels, they also decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Friday welcomed "a historic decision by the European Council on opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova."

He said in a social media message: "Poland has always supported the enlargement process. Many didn’t believe when we started the fight to launch negotiations with Ukraine."

Duda offered his congratulations to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A historic decision by the European Council on opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova! Poland has always supported the enlargement process. Many didn’t believe when we started the fight to launch negotiations with Ukraine. Congratulations @ZelenskyyUa…

— Andrzej Duda (@AndrzejDuda) December 15, 2023

'Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, we did it': Polish PM

Meanwhile, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a post on Thursday: "Dear Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we did it!"

Tusk added: "I dedicate our today’s decision on enlargement to your heroes who gave their lives for an independent and European Ukraine."

Dear Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we did it! I dedicate our today’s decision on enlargement to your heroes who gave their lives for an independent and European Ukraine.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) December 14, 2023

Polish foreign ministry sends congratulations

The Polish foreign ministry welcomed Thursday's decision in a post on the X platform: "Today, the dream for which many Ukrainians gave their lives, is coming true."

It added: "Ukraine begins EU membership negotiations. This is wonderful news. We extend our wholehearted congratulations to our Ukrainian friends."

Today, the dream for which many Ukrainians gave their lives, is coming true.

Ukraine begins EU membership negotiations 🇪🇺‼️

This is wonderful news. We extend our wholehearted congratulations to our 🇺🇦 friends.

🇺🇦🤝🇵🇱

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) December 14, 2023

European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday: "The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova."

EU leaders also granted candidate status to Georgia and pledged to open accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina "once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached."

The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine & Moldova. #EUCO granted candidate status to Georgia. And the EU will open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached and…

— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) December 14, 2023

Michel said the move represented a "clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent."

Leaders have decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and to grant candidate status to Georgia.

A strategic decision and a day that will remain engraved in the history of our Union

Proud that we have lived up to our promises and delighted for our partners

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 14, 2023

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP