A step closer to EU for Ukraine
On June 21, 2024, the Council of the European Union decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, thereby paving the way for the next step in the accession process. Two years after Ukraine’s application for membership, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) followed up on the Commission’s recommendation to open accession talks with Ukraine. The decision comes after Ukraine has made progress in fighting corruption and guaranteeing minority rights.
We welcome that the EU is delivering on its promises by rewarding Ukraine for its reforms with the opening of accession negotiations. RBI has a long history in Ukraine. Being active in the country since 2005, Raiffeisenbank Ukraine is the largest private bank in Ukraine and a key lender in the agricultural sector and to SME. The bank employs around 5,300 people in more than 320 business outlets. While the accession process has been progressing rapidly in the case of Ukraine so far, we know that on the path towards EU membership, there is still significant ground to cover. As we support countries in the Western Balkans on their journey towards EU membership, we stand ready to support Ukraine, its people and the economy on their path of EU-integration to becoming a member of our Union!