Greece and Cyprus support Ukraine's accession to the European Union, but oppose an accelerated process at the suggestion of several Eastern European countries.
This was reported by Euractiv.
The publication quoted sources in the Greek Foreign Ministry as saying that Athens' position is that all procedures envisioned by Article 49 of the EU Treaty should be observed. At the same time, the Greek side attaches special importance to the accession of the Western Balkan countries and believes that they are the immediate priority.
As for granting Ukraine candidate status, Greece first wants to see the conclusion of the European Commission.
For their part, sources in the Cypriot government are also inclined to see what direction the European Commission's conclusion will take. If it is positive, Cyprus will agree to grant Ukraine candidate status. However, all procedures must be followed, which means a long process of accession to the EU.
Sources in Cyprus, as well as in Greece, believe that candidate countries from the Western Balkans, many of which have already implemented big steps toward accession, should be taken into account.
However, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Mykolenko earlier said that it was unfair to tie the EU candidate status for Ukraine to the process of integration of the Western Balkans.
