Denmark Funds Moldova & Ukraine's EU Bid
To mark the launch of accession negotiations for Moldova and Ukraine with the European Union, the Danish government has pledged over €20 million to support these countries on their European path. The announcement was made by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The €20 million allocation will be distributed over the next eight years (by 2030) and will primarily assist the two countries in establishing the administrative structures and legislation necessary to advance towards EU membership. In the long term, the support will also encompass the candidate countries of the Western Balkans.
"We are delighted to finally commence accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova," said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. "The EU's enlargement has never been about lowering the bar for membership; it's about assisting candidate countries in meeting the criteria. This is precisely the kind of support we are now extending to Ukraine and Moldova. A successful EU enlargement is vital for Europe's stability. When countries bordering the EU strengthen their European ties and move closer to the prospect of peace, stability, and prosperity offered by the Union, it bolsters our collective security."
The new funds earmarked for Ukraine and Moldova will be channeled through an instrument within the Danish Neighbourhood Programme, which already supports reform processes in Eastern Neighbourhood countries that are essential for their EU rapprochement. In addition to aiding the establishment of administrative structures and legislation, the instrument will also support study visits and civic education initiatives.
The instrument's scope will eventually encompass the Western Balkan candidate countries as well.
Today, June 25, the General Affairs Council will convene to approve the negotiating framework at the ministerial level. The conference for Ukraine is scheduled for this afternoon, while the conference marking the official start of negotiations with Moldova is set for 6:00 PM. During the Moldova conference, Prime Minister Dorin Recean will outline his country's negotiating position, confirming Moldova's acceptance of the negotiating framework proposed by the European Union.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
