Lipavský: Candidate states should join EU on one-by-one basis

The Czech foreign minister, Jan Lipavský, says candidates to join the European Union should be accepted as members on a one-by-one basis. While at the annual Europa-Forum Wachau at Göttweig Abbey in Lower Austria, Mr. Lipavský told the APA news agency that he was in favour of an approach where candidate states competed with one another in terms of meeting accession criteria.

The Czech foreign policy chief said simultaneous accession would put a break on the most ready candidates.

He said Ukraine was a special case, having been attacked by Russia. The country has decided for democracy and a European style of life and therefore merits all support from EU members, he said.