Olaf Scholz: Ukraine must respect human rights to join the EU
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Photo: bild.de
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that Ukraine will have to respect human rights in order to join the EU, reports Bild am Sonntag.
Commenting on Ukraine's possible membership of the European Union, Scholz said that all states wishing to join the EU must first comply with the criteria of the rule of law, human rights, democracy and the fight against corruption.
The German Chancellor said that the "strong signal" was that in summer 2022 "we made Moldova and Ukraine candidate countries".
At the same time, he said, "each candidate must meet the necessary criteria to become a member of the European Union – this concerns the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights and the fight against corruption".
Asked by a journalist whether Ukraine's chances of joining the EU increased because of the war, Olaf Scholz stressed that the conditions for joining the EU are "the same for everyone".
As earlier reported, human rights activist Viktoriya Kokhanovska said that the law on the UOC ban would become a law against every Ukrainian.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.