European Commissioner believes Ukraine's EU accession will not cause significant financial problems

Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, has said that Ukraine's accession to the European Union will not pose significant financial difficulties for the union.

Source: European Pravda, citing Johannes Hahn in an interview with the Funke media group, quoted by the news agency DTS

Details: According to Hahn, Ukraine's planned accession to the EU may require an increase in the EU budget of up to 20%. That increase would be necessary if the current rules on agricultural aid and structural support within the EU were maintained.

Quote from Hahn: "It sounds gigantic, but it corresponds to only 0.2% of European economic output, and it is certainly feasible. It's a worthwhile investment because Ukraine has enormous economic potential."

The European Commissioner explained that a 20% increase in the budget under current conditions would mean an additional €200 billion over the EU's seven-year budget period.

"The financial side gives me the least headache. The bigger problem is preparation in the EU: how do we make decisions, how do we ensure the rule of law? How do we unite Ukraine's sizeable agricultural sector with our agriculture?" Hahn emphasised.

Background:

• Last year, the media reported, citing internal estimates by European officials, that in the first seven years after joining the European Union, Ukraine will be able to claim approximately €186 billion from the EU budget. 
• Both Ukraine and Brussels are working to ensure that Ukraine's EU accession negotiations officially commence no later than the end of June, when Belgium's presidency of the EU Council ends and Hungary's six-month presidency begins.

Read more in this detailed article by European Pravda about the European Commission's draft negotiation framework for Ukraine – the regulation that will govern the forthcoming EU accession process.

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