US welcomes EU's historic decision on negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova

The United States has welcomed the EU summit's decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia, calling it historic.

Source: European Pravda, citing United States Department of State

Washington called the summit's decision a "historic moment" for Europe and the transatlantic partnership.

"Today’s decisions to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, grant EU candidate status to Georgia, and open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, once it has met the necessary criteria, offer hope and incentive to these countries and their people to continue reforms needed to advance their EU ambitions," the US State Department added.

The statement adds that the US continues to be a supporter of EU enlargement and is determined to support countries that are on this path in implementing the necessary reforms.

"At this pivotal moment for the transatlantic community, we encourage them to seize the momentum to realise their full democratic and economic potential and secure their future in Europe,"  the US State Department concluded.

Background:

• On the evening of 14 December, at a summit in Brussels, the European Union's leaders by 26 votes decided to start negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on joining the European Union, and to grant candidate status to Georgia.
• The decision was considered a "miracle" until the last minute due to the categorical position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. However, the Hungarian leader deliberately left the hall before the vote, thus not voting for it, and continued to criticise the decision afterwards.

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