Ukraine's EU accession before 2028 unrealistic, to require 20% budget hike - European Commissioner Hahn

MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - Ukraine's accession to the European Union could require an increase of the European Union's budget by 20%, but Ukraine's economic potential is worth it, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn said.

"It might sound massive, but it corresponds only to 0.2% of the European economic output, and it is certainly feasible. It is a worthy investment, because Ukraine has a vast economic potential," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Hahn as saying in a commentary to the German website oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de.

A twenty-percent increase in the budget would mean additional 200 billion euros over the EU's seven-year budget period under current conditions, he said.

"The financial side gives me the least headache. The bigger concern is the rule of law in the EU and the incorporation of Ukraine's huge agricultural sector into Europe's agriculture," Hahn said.

He said he does not expect Ukraine's swift accession to the EU. The accession before 2028, the start of the next seven-year financial framework, is "unrealistic," he said.

"The accession amid the crisis is unrealistic. All candidate states must comply with reform requirements," he said.