The German chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed that the European Union should stand with Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia as they pursue the reforms needed to meet the criteria for EU membership. His remarks frame the EU’s approach as a blend of steady support and sustained expectations, underscoring a path that rewards reform momentum while keeping doors open to those nations currently on the journey toward closer Union ties. Scholz emphasized that the priority is to build peace and long-term stability, and to ensure that reform drives can be translated into concrete improvements for citizens across these partner countries. The message signals a broad, shared confidence that reform and stability go hand in hand with European integration and regional resilience, and that the EU will accompany these states as they modernize political and economic institutions, strengthen governance, and align with shared European norms.
In his public remarks, Scholz highlighted that progress must be backed by ongoing EU engagement. He described a collaborative framework in which Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia pursue reforms with clear benchmarks and European support that remains available for as long as necessary. This stance reflects a long-term commitment from Brussels, recognizing that reforms can take time and that steady, predictable assistance helps partner countries tackle challenges ranging from judicial independence to market openness and public sector efficiency. The emphasis was on peace, stability, and reform as intertwined goals, with the EU ready to provide policy guidance, financial support, and practical instruments to help each country advance toward alignment with EU standards and practices.
On 8 November, the European Commission president outlined a series of steps designed to advance these ambitions. The Commission recommended beginning accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, following a thorough review of the reforms Kyiv and Chisinau have implemented. The recommendation notes that Ukraine must continue combatting corruption, safeguard minority rights, and advance institutions that uphold rule of law. For Moldova, the assessment centers on sustaining reform trajectories that bolster governance and economic resilience while integrating European norms. The overall aim is to translate reform progress into tangible benefits for citizens, including stronger public services, accountable government, and more predictable economic conditions that support private sector growth.
Additionally, the Commission proposed granting EU candidate status to Georgia, conditioned on demonstrated policy alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy. The stated condition calls for Georgia to show greater consistency in its actions with EU standards, reinforcing the principle that candidate status comes with clear expectations and accountability. This approach reflects Brussels’ strategy of linking meaningful steps toward membership with concrete reforms and institutional alignment across all three countries, recognizing that credible commitments to shared values reinforce regional security and prosperity. The discussions also touch on broader instruments, including the ongoing consideration of additional sanctions and how they fit within a unified strategy to deter aggression and uphold international norms.