WASHINGTON, May 10. /TASS/. Ukraine could quickly gain the status of a candidate to join the EU but it may take years or decades to become a member, French President Emmanuel Macron said in Berlin on Monday.
He made the comment to explain his earlier idea to set up a new organization - the European Political Community - to accept countries like Ukraine.
"A few years may not be enough to realize the prospect of EU accession for countries such as Ukraine, due to the standards of our organization," Macron said. "We can give them a fast-track procedure for granting the candidate status, which is what we are doing, but we know that, due to our standards and our criteria, it will take years, and quite likely decades, for Ukraine to actually join the European Union."
That, he said, "may give rise to disappointment among the EU's neighbors, who are committed to the same values as the union."
"Therefore, it’s necessary to create a new political organization that would bring these states closer to Europe, and together ensure political coordination and forms of solidarity in the security sphere, but not to the extent that NATO does," the French leader said. He also noted the need for coordination in the energy sector, infrastructure development and youth contacts.
"We could create a European Political Community," Macron said.
The idea will be discussed with other leaders, including Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.