Polish MEP: “practically no alternative” for EU other than “clear and strong message” that we must open door to Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine

There is practically no alternative for the European Union other than issuing a “clear and strong message” that it must open the door to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, Ryszard Czarnecki, member of the European Conservative and Reform Group in the European Parliament, said on Tuesday.

The Polish MEP said bringing Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to the EU would not simply be a goodwill gesture, but would represent a greater understanding of reality through the principle that “a divided Europe” cannot be accepted.

The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, used a very famous proposal - ‘There is no alternative’. This is a very good metaphor for the current situation, because there is practically no alternative from us, except for a very clear, very strong message from the EU that we must open the door to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine," Czarnecki pointed out in comments following the three countries’ bids to join the Union.

This situation is a good reason and a good exception for inviting Tbilisi, Kyiv and Chisinau to our European board, not only for cultural and historical reasons, but also for political reasons," Czarnecki added.

On Monday, ambassadors of EU member states agreed to invite the EU Commission to present the opinion on candidate status applications by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

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