Processing of Ukraine's application for EU membership might be expedited - European Parliament president

STRASBOURG. April 7 (Interfax-Ukraine) - European Parliament President Roberta Metsola believes that the processing of Ukraine's application for the admission to the European Union might be expedited if Ukraine quickly answers questions in the European Commission questionnaire.

Metsola said so in an interview with Ukrainian journalists, as she was commenting on the promise given at the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada on March 1 to assist in Ukraine's designation as an EU candidate.

Metsola said she saw numerous EU flags in Kyiv and it was the right moment for the European Union to open its arms. She said he had spoken with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv about Ukraine expecting to receive the EU questionnaire today or tomorrow and hoping to answer all questions within four days. Metsola said she was told by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna that Ukraine needed four days to give the answers. Then the ball will again be in the EU's court, and the European Parliament will step in, Metsola said, adding they would ensure the taking of every step. She also said she believed that the process could be expedited if Ukrainians answered the questions very quickly.

The candidate status gives access to many EU programs, Metsola said. She said she knew how it was to be a candidate from the time her country, Malta, was one of those. Malta was admitted to the European Union in 2004, and the admission talks began in 2000. She said a candidate was entitled to colossal assistance in the fields of infrastructure, synergy, educational programs, and access to every other program of the EU, and all of that would begin immediately, which would also tell Ukraine that the EU is serious.

Speaking of an upcoming donor conference for Ukraine initiated by the EU leadership, Metsola said details of the conference agenda were not available just yet it was possible to hold a conference of TEC-donors, such as Google. She said they also wanted to help Ukraine in terms of finance and logistics, and the EU could arrange it. The event could be held at the ministerial level, she said.