This month, the European Commission will publish its annual report on the achievements of countries seeking to join the European Union. The progress of Ukraine, which is actively moving towards European integration, will be at the center of attention. Special focus is given to reforms in various areas, with one of the key topics being the independence of the media.
Freedom of Speech – Not a Luxury, but a Necessity
The Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, Katarina Maternova, emphasized the importance of supporting independent media in the process of Ukraine’s European integration. She noted that media independence is one of the important aspects that European institutions examine when assessing Ukraine’s progress. The media plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency of government and disseminating objective information, which is essential for the country’s democratic development.
“Supporting independent media is extremely important for Ukraine to successfully fulfill its commitments to the EU,” Maternova stressed. According to her, the EU has provided significant financial assistance to Ukrainian media, especially those fact-checking during times of war.
EU Support for Ukrainian Media
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has allocated around 15 million euros to support Ukrainian media. These funds are directed towards supporting independent media that fact-check and provide objective information to society during wartime. Maternova also emphasized that Ukraine’s resources are limited due to the war, making international support crucial for the survival of the Ukrainian media sphere.
Participation of European experts in seminars for regional journalists helps develop the skills of Ukrainian media professionals and contributes to raising journalism standards in the country.
Annual Evaluation by the European Commission
On October 30, the European Commission will present the so-called “enlargement package” for 2024, which will assess the progress of candidate countries for EU membership, including Ukraine. This report is an important document that shows how Ukraine meets the requirements for EU accession and what reforms still need to be implemented.
The main evaluation areas include political and economic reforms, fighting corruption, reforming the judicial system, respecting human rights, as well as media independence. These issues are extremely important for Ukraine, as EU membership will open up new opportunities for the country in trade, investment, and security.
Is Ukraine’s accession to the EU possible by 2030?
Maternova also noted that Ukraine’s accession to the EU by 2030 is a realistic goal if the country continues active reforms. According to her, Ukraine has already demonstrated significant progress in reforming various sectors, but to fully meet the membership criteria, it is necessary to continue moving in this direction.
The forecast for Ukraine’s possible accession to the EU by 2030 looks optimistic, considering that the country has already achieved some successes in many areas. However, European partners emphasize that there is still a lot of work ahead.
Challenges on the path to EU membership
In addition to progress in media reform, Ukraine faces numerous challenges on the path to full EU membership. These include ensuring the rule of law, fighting corruption, strengthening institutions, and overcoming economic difficulties caused by the war.
However, European support plays a crucial role in this process. The EU actively assists Ukraine not only financially but also through consultations and sharing of expertise. The war continues to consume significant resources, so the support of international partners is critical for the country’s recovery and development.
The assessment of the European Commission, which will be presented at the end of October, is an important indicator of Ukraine’s success on the path to the European Union. Although the country has made significant progress, there are still many challenges. Media independence is a key element of democratic development, and supporting Ukrainian media is one of the important steps towards European integration.
Ukraine has all the chances to become a full-fledged EU member in the future, but this requires continuing reforms and strengthening democratic institutions. The support of the European Union remains crucial to achieving this goal.
