Former Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin predicts that Ukraine’s most difficult negotiations regarding EU accession will take place with its neighboring countries.
He spoke about this in an interview with Ukrinform. When asked which EU countries are our main allies and with which ones we still need to negotiate, Klimkin noted: “I don’t like to divide friends and partners into different categories. Obviously, negotiations with neighbors such as Poland will not be easy. It will be just as difficult with Romania,” the diplomat said.
He added that negotiations will be conducted with the European Commission, which will have a mandate from member states. Each country will defend its market advantages and transition periods, which will complicate the negotiations.
“Yes, we have our own interests that overlap with those of the French in the agricultural sector, but this can be resolved. However, it will be much more difficult with our neighbors,” Klimkin emphasized.
He stressed the importance of working not only with political and business elites, but also with civil society in EU countries.
