The Dutch government supports Ukraineʼs EU candidate status, which has been hesitant to wait for a recommendation from the European Commission.
This was stated by Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra after a meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 17.
"As the cabinet said: we consider this [decision to grant Ukraine candidate status] balanced, we think it is reasonable. So let us do this for the sake of unity in Europe. The Netherlands is positive about this, "said the Dutch Foreign Minister.
Prime Minister Rutte called the European Commissionʼs recommendation to grant Ukraine EU candidate status a "reasonable compromise".
Later, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated that Denmark supports granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership.
"I spoke with Yeppe Kofod, who assured me that Denmark supports granting Ukraine EU candidate status. Grateful to Jeppe for support. I told him that this decision inspires every Ukrainian, including those currently at the frontline, "he wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, Denmark said that Ukraine did not fully meet the criteria for stability of institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect and protection of minorities. Copenhagen saw a "very early stage" in Ukraineʼs readiness to commit to EU membership and create a market economy.
- On June 17, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine be granted candidate status as a member of the European Union.