EU  “working hard” on Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova membership bids

The European Union is “working hard” to respond to the membership bids by the Associated Trio countries of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said on Monday before a meeting EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

Asked what his message was regarding the official membership applications by the three states, Borrell said he could not say in advance what the European Commission's conclusion would be, but added the organisation was working on its opinion at a faster-than-normal pace.

Georgia officially applied for EU membership on March 3, with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili signing the country’s membership application. 

Oliver Varhelyi, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, handed over the membership questionnaire to the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on April 11, with the filled-out document handed back to EU authorities on May 10.

Based on the questionnaire, the European Commission will prepare an evaluation report on granting the candidate status to the country, with the relevant decision expected by the end of June.