EU commissioner for enlargement highlights record pace of Ukraine's EU accession preparations

Ukraine has been advancing at a record pace in its technical preparations for accession to the European Union, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has stated.

Kos, who is on a three-day visit to Ukraine, noted in an interview with Ukrinform that the technical process of preparing for accession may not be visible to the general public, but it is progressing faster than ever before.

"It is not true that the accession process is stopped. Not at all on the technical part, and I'm happy that you stress that in your question. Ukraine and the EU are delivering as never before. As you know, Ukraine has finished the legislation screening process in the record time. No other candidate country has done this," Kos said.

Asked about possible scenarios for bypassing Hungary's veto, which European Council President António Costa may propose, Kos declined to provide details.

"We will see what the decision will be tomorrow [at the EU summit in Copenhagen – ed.]. We could go on, perhaps, in the working group, and then we would need a green light from the Council," she said.

Kos also emphasised that, regardless of internal EU dynamics, Ukraine can continue doing its "homework" and increasing its readiness for membership.

"The more reform we do now, the less it will remain to be done once we open cluster by cluster... You don't need to wait for Hungary to do the reforms. We are ready to accompany you in doing the reforms today, tomorrow, and until the end," she added.

Kos is on a three-day visit to Ukraine. On day one of her visit, she visited the city of Uzhhorod in Ukraine's west and said she believes Ukraine has fulfilled its "homework" on the rights of national minorities.

Key meetings in Kyiv are scheduled for Wednesday.