VILNIUS - Parliamentary speakers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on Tuesday called on the European Union’s (EU) member states to grant Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country as soon as possible.
“Supporting Ukraine’s efforts on its way to the European Union and granting Ukraine the European Union candidate status as soon as possible would be a powerful and effective response to Russia’s military aggression as well as to Ukraine’s request for help at this difficult time for it,” the speakers of the three Baltic parliaments said in a joint statement.
Speakers of the three Baltic parliaments vowed to make every effort to provide broad support for Ukraine on its path towards becoming a full-fledged member state of the European Union and called on parliaments of other EU member states to do the same.
They also urged the governments of the Baltic countries and other EU member states to start taking practical steps towards Ukraine’s EU membership.
“Our decision is clear – the more countries are part of the EU, the safe is the whole of Europe. Russia has clearly demonstrated its stance towards the countries that are not members of the EU – from the occupation of Georgia to today’s atrocities in Ukraine. If we want the 21st age Europe to stop fighting wars, we must act quickly and responsibly,” Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, said.
The joint statement was also signed by Juri Ratas, president of the Estonian Riigikogu, and Inara Murniece, speaker of the Latvian Saeima.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an official application to join the European Union on February 28, several days after Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine.
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