MEPs To Debate Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia Candidate Status

Later today MEPs are set to debate the potential for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia being granted EU candidate status in a plenary session in Brussels. The debate is due to start around 1530CET (0930ET, 1430BST) as part of a broader preparation for the European Council summit taking place 23-24 June.

• There is expected to be broad support among MEPs for Ukraine and Moldova gaining candidate status following the Commission's recommendation that both nations be put on the first step of the path to membership.
• There is also likely to be widespread support for Georgia gaining candidate status if it fulfills specific other conditions relating to institutional stability, cross-party cooperation, judicial reform, and 'de-oligarchisation' among other issues. In its recommendations, the Commission gave the opinion that Georgia should "be given the perspective to become a member of the EU" rather than being given candidate status.
• There remains the potential for some disagreement at EU level about the pace of progress for Ukraine and Moldova in particular. Concern that Western Balkan states that have waited for years for progress could be disconcerted by being passed over.