Fico Sees No Support in EU for Merz's Proposal to Make Ukraine Associate Member

Bratislava, 21 May (TASR) - The current atmosphere in the European Union isn't conducive to taking such steps regarding Ukraine, said Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Thursday in response to an initiative by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who proposes granting Ukraine the status of an "associate member" of the European Union without voting rights while the country goes through the process of joining the bloc. "Either we take someone into the European Union, or we don't," Fico told a press conference on Thursday, adding that when it comes to membership for anyone - not just Ukraine - they must meet the conditions, which is a long-term process. Fico said that other countries should join the EU at present, namely Montenegro, Albania and Serbia. "These three countries need to be admitted into the European Union as soon as possible," he stated, adding that while he hasn't yet read Merz's letter to EU officials containing the proposal, he believes that it lacks support within the Union. The plan, which Merz first presented last month, would allow the Ukrainian leader to participate in the bloc's summits, but without the right to vote. Kiev would have a representative at the highest level in the EU's executive branch, namely the European Commission (EC), as well as non-voting members in the European Parliament. According to the proposal outlined by Merz in a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine would be covered by the community mutual assistance clause and would be able to draw funds from certain parts of the EU budget. am/df