President of European Parliament calls for starting EU membership talks with Ukraine this year

BRUSSELS. June 29 (Interfax) - Ukraine will remain a key item on the European Union's foreign policy agenda, and negotiations on its accession to the EU could be started as early as this year, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said.

"What we can be certain about is that Ukraine must remain our number one priority," Metsola said at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday, following a traditional address to the EU heads of state and government attending an EU summit.

"On this [European] Parliament is clear that the accession negotiations should start already this year. So, I hope the December European Council will be the place or the time, where that step can be" made, Metsola said.

She described the results of reforms achieved by Ukraine as excellent despite the situation in the country. At the same time, she urged Kiev to accelerate its work on reforms to prompt Brussels to take the relevant steps.

Metsola said that, based on opinions of European leaders about Ukraine, she was optimistic about the final result.

Taking more questions, Metsola added that the European Parliament takes a similar approach toward Moldova, also expecting it to carry out reforms on a "pro-European path."

Metsola highlighted the importance of observing the timelines recommended by the EU to implement its criteria for starting accession talks.