EXPLAINED: What would Ukraine's membership to European Union mean for both?

European Union's leers have approved Ukraine's "euro-integration" almost two weeks after nation filed an application for membership in bloc. On Friday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausda announced that EU leers h agreed to grant war-torn Ukraine membership after five hours of intense discussion. support for Ukraine's candidature was unanimous as 637 members voted 'yes' as opposed to 13 who voted 'no' and 26 who abstained from voting. 

Last month, on February 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed application for Ukraine's EU membership, just days after Russia launched a full-fledged war against its neighbour. Following Russia's invasion, some EU countries attempted to provide Ukraine with a pathway to EU membership, with Slovakia proposing a special procedure for war-torn country's accession. EU has shown extraordinary unity since war began between Russia and Ukraine last month.

What EU membership means to Ukraine?

Ukraine has an association agreement with European Union, but it has long shown interest in joining bloc. Ukraine's mission to bloc holds greater significance amid its war against Russia. Its mission will benefit Ukraine militarily since EU members are obliged by a mutual defence provision that mandates m to assist a country if it is victim of military aggression on its soil. Furrmore, joining EU would boost Ukraine's economy and provide it with extra benefits such as free movement within EU and a slew of or rights provided to EU nationals. 

EU's benefits from member states

European Union (EU) functions as a single union for all of its members. In terms of political and economic growth, it functions as a unified organisation with a standardised legal system that includes free movement of people, products, services, and capital within internal market. Furrmore, organisation investigates legislation in areas of justice and home affairs as well. Meanwhile, bloc also has authority to maintain common policies on tre, agriculture, fisheries, and regional development. With accession of Ukraine, European Union will get an opportunity to tighten its hold in Eastern Europe. 

EU to invest $500 million for Ukrainian armaments

European Union immediately imposed severe sanctions against Russian President Vlimir Putin, Russia's financial system, and country's high-maintenance oligarchs. bloc also took extraordinary step of collectively providing arms and ammunition to a country under attack. In dition, EU decided to invest 450 million euros ($500 million) for Ukrainian armaments. 

Criteria to join European Union

A country has to go through a lengthy and complicated procedure to become a member of EU. Croatia was last member to join bloc, and its application took ten years to be officially accepted in 2013. However, Ukraine has sought immediate membership under a special fast-track procedure amid ongoing Russian invasion. applicant country must meet 'Copenhagen criteria,' which are a set of requirements that must be met in order for a country to join bloc. A free-market economy, a stable democracy, rule of law, human rights, and full implementation of all EU rules and regulations, are among m.

About European Union

European Union is a group of 27 countries that functions as one economic unit in world economy. United Kingdom, which was a founder member of EU, left bloc in 2020. Maastricht Treaty, which went into effect on November 1, 1993, established European Union. In 2012, European Union was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in appreciation of its efforts to promote peace and democracy in Europe. Ministerial representatives from each member country make up European Union. council is heed by a president and position rotates after every six months.

Image: AP