EU commissioner on whether Ukraine and Moldova will be decoupled on path to EU accession

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that Ukraine and Moldova will not be separated in the EU accession process, but this could change if Ukraine slows down the implementation of the necessary reforms.

Kos recalled in an interview with European Pravda that Ukraine and Moldova started their path toward EU membership together and remain together in this process for now.

"But we will see what the time will bring when you will have to start delivering the reforms. As you know, EU accession is a merit-based process and it means that if you will deliver with the same speed as Moldova, you will stay together. If not, then your ways will separate," she said.

When asked if Ukraine and Moldova will stay together under a new approach in the EU enlargement process, Kos stated that the European Commission and member states will make the decision.

"In my personal opinion we have, as I always say, four frontrunners, which are Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova," she said, adding that these countries should remain together on their path toward membership.

At the same time, Kos pointed out that Montenegro and Albania are much further ahead in the accession process than Ukraine.

"You are a bit back – but no worries, you can also run fast," the commissioner said.

In the same interview, Kos said that the decision on Ukraine's possible fast-track accession to the EU will be made by the member states.

She also said that a draft of the new rules governing the EU enlargement process will be presented in a few months.

Watch the interview with Marta Kos on the European Pravda YouTube channel.