Von der Leyen: Ukraine advancing rapidly to EU membership

VILNIUS. July 12 (Interfax/BNS) - Ukraine's progress in implementing reforms essential for joining the European Union is impressive, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said.

"The speed at which Ukraine is advancing in the EU membership [...] is amazing, impressive. It is a merit-based process, and we see the enthusiasm and intensity with which Ukraine is reforming and thus advancing rapidly to the EU membership," von der Leyen told journalists at a NATO summit in Vilnius on Wednesday, where she is to meet with the alliance's leaders and partners.

"So, I am very confident that if they keep on going, keeping this speed, the success will be there soon," she said.

Ukraine has been granted EU candidate country status. To begin official negotiations on becoming an EU member, Kiev is supposed to carry out certain reforms and meet certain criteria.