Slovakian PM Heger urges German Chancellor Scholz to support Ukraine's EU bid: Report

In his recent visit to Berlin, Slovakia's Prime Minister Eduard Heger urged German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to support Ukraine as a European Union (EU) candidate amid ongoing ravaging war in Eastern Europe. Besides, Slovak Prime Minister also asked Scholz to support Georgia and Moldova's EU candidacy, while calling on German leer to witness horrors of war with his own eyes. Earlier on Monday, June 13, Heger visited German capital in an attempt to persue Scholz on behalf of three countries ahe of a European Council conference next week, where EU leers are likely to consider three countries' membership bids.

According to officials, European Commission is expected to recommend that Ukraine be granted official EU candidate nation status, but final decision will be me by European Council. Despite Russia's continuous onslaught on Ukraine, which spurred trio to apply for bloc, Scholz, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, have often stressed that EU should not rush process. "We have to realize that enlargement is a must. world needs Europe to be strong. And countries are waiting," Heger told POLITICO ahe of his bilateral talks with German Chancellor.

Scholz refrained from giving specific reply on Ukraine's membership bid

Later, while dressing a joint press conference with Slovak Prime Minister, Scholz did not give a specific reply on Ukraine's membership bid, stating, "We as EU continue to operate in solidarity." German Chancellor has been far more open in his support for EU enlargement in Western Balkans, an ambition he reiterated on Monday too. He went on to emphasise that any future EU accession must be accompanied by reforms. 

Any country's inclusion in EU must be 'merit-based': Slovak PM

According to Heger, accepting Ukraine or or countries as official EU membership candidates would only be first stage, and any furr move towards ir actual mission to bloc should be "merit-based". “We will not do any shortcuts, we will not lower criteria," he ded. Heger went on to say that any nation should be entitled to seek EU membership, but only those that completely demonstrate requisite desire to make required democratic and institutional reforms should be allowed to do so. 

What EU membership means for 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. 

Image: Twitter/@eduardheger/AP