Ukraine has fulfilled the requirements for the opening of clusters: the first (Fundamentals), the sixth (External Relations), the second (Internal Market).
Key findings on Ukraine
Next steps
The Council of the EU should now examine these recommendations of the European Commission and decide on the next steps in the enlargement process.
Background
Enlargement is a clear, fair process, based on the merits and objective progress of each country participating in it. The EU supports the transformation of institutions, democratic governance and public administration in such countries.
By promoting gradual integration, the EU offers advantages to countries even before accession. Initiatives such as the €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, the €1.9 billion Growth Plan for Moldova and the €50 billion Ukraine Facility are helping countries to advance their reforms and to build links with the EU, such as through gradual integration and participation in SEPA and Roam like at home, the EU’s single roaming area.
Each enlargement has made our Union stronger. The accession of ten countries to the EU in 2004 marked the EU’s largest enlargement. Over the past twenty years, the countries that joined during that period have seen their living standards double, unemployment almost halve, life expectancy increase from 75 to 79, poverty and social exclusion fall sharply, and 6 million jobs created. For the current member states, trade has since more than fivefold; 20 million jobs were created. For the EU as a whole, the single market gained 74 million new consumers, and the EU economy grew by 27% despite the global crisis.
