The News in Brief
Friday, June 30, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Latvia's Prime Minister Urges EU Expansion and Strong Response to Russian Actions in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Balkans
The Prime Minister of Latvia, Krisjanis Karins, emphasized the significance of European Union expansion and the inclusion of more member states. He highlighted that Russia's actions demonstrate the absence of room for an intermediate or gray zone. According to Karins, any country aspiring to join the EU must fulfill all the required standards.
Karins emphasized the need to respond appropriately to Russia's actions, particularly in the cases of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and the Balkans. He emphasized that any potential member state should meet the necessary standards and implement reforms. Encouragement and concerted efforts from the European Union are vital in accomplishing this task.
"Russia is looking at the gray area to attack a country, and we have to respond accordingly in the case of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and also the Balkans," said Karins. "Any potential member state must meet all standards and implement reforms, that's for sure, but we must encourage it and work on it as a task of the European Union."
Kaja Kallas Urges Georgia to Fully Comply with EU Criteria, Emphasizes Support for Enlargement
The Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, expressed endorsement for the expansion of the European Union. She conveyed to Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova that they must fully meet all the criteria without any exceptions. No concessions will be made to them in this regard. These remarks were made prior to the commencement of the European Union leaders' summit.
Kallas stressed that meeting the criteria is essential for starting negotiations and acknowledged that Georgia's progress is more complicated. However, there is still time to work on any remaining requirements.
"We support the enlargement of the European Union. We conveyed to Ukraine and Moldova that they must fulfill the criteria completely without any benefits. Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine must fulfill all the criteria. Therefore, if the criteria are met, it would be fair to initiate negotiations. These reforms are challenging, but they are necessary. Georgia poses a greater complexity when discussing progress. If you observe a report regarding the fulfillment of the criteria, there is still time to work on it. Thus, all the criteria must be fulfilled," stated Kallas.
Latvia's Prime Minister Urges EU Expansion and Strong Response to Russian Actions in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Balkans
Karins emphasized the need to respond appropriately to Russia's actions, particularly in the cases of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and the Balkans. He emphasized that any potential member state should meet the necessary standards and implement reforms. Encouragement and concerted efforts from the European Union are vital in accomplishing this task.
"Russia is looking at the gray area to attack a country, and we have to respond accordingly in the case of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and also the Balkans," said Karins. "Any potential member state must meet all standards and implement reforms, that's for sure, but we must encourage it and work on it as a task of the European Union."
Kaja Kallas Urges Georgia to Fully Comply with EU Criteria, Emphasizes Support for Enlargement
Kallas stressed that meeting the criteria is essential for starting negotiations and acknowledged that Georgia's progress is more complicated. However, there is still time to work on any remaining requirements.
"We support the enlargement of the European Union. We conveyed to Ukraine and Moldova that they must fulfill the criteria completely without any benefits. Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine must fulfill all the criteria. Therefore, if the criteria are met, it would be fair to initiate negotiations. These reforms are challenging, but they are necessary. Georgia poses a greater complexity when discussing progress. If you observe a report regarding the fulfillment of the criteria, there is still time to work on it. Thus, all the criteria must be fulfilled," stated Kallas.