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
Shell hits UOC church in Kherson, rector’s wife injured
As a result of shelling, a side chapel was destroyed and the church dome was damaged at the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Kherson. There are also injured.
OCU accuses UOC-KP members of “crimes against canonical order”
The leadership of the OCU has asserted its exclusive right to the Kyiv Patriarchate brand and threatened punishment against Nikodym Kobzar and his associates.
Moldovan bishop tells UN of pressure on the Church
Speaking at the UN, Archbishop Markell said the authorities are putting pressure on the Orthodox Church of Moldova and threatening the seizure of churches.
UOC clergy deliver aid to frontline monasteries and parishes
Clergy of the Kyiv Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church delivered aid to frontline monasteries and parishes that provide daily support to refugees and the needy.
Vinnytsia region bans religious processions and pilgrimages until December
Vinnytsia’s Defense Council has imposed strict restrictions on believers ahead of the Easter holidays.
Nicaraguan authorities release 1,200 prisoners for Holy Week
In Nicaragua, more than a thousand inmates were released from prison during Holy Week and sent home under a “family cohabitation” regime, with an appeal to begin a “new life.”