The European Union has estimated the cost of Ukraine’s membership – the union will have to spend approximately 186 billion euros over seven years. The Financial Times reported on the draft budget, designed for seven years, taking into account the entry of new members.
The EU conducted a study that used the union’s budget rules for 2021–2027. Calculations are made based on the scenario that the EU will include Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and six Western Balkan states.
It is estimated that the accession of all nine members will cost the EU budget 256.8 billion euros. This will also have the knock-on effect of cutting farm subsidies by around a fifth for existing EU member states.
The expected scale of the necessary changes will decisively change the financial balance within the bloc, the document notes. Thus, with the emergence of nine new member countries, the current budget will increase by 21%, to 1.47 trillion euros – approximately 1.4% of the gross national income of 36 countries. However, all member states will have to pay more and receive less from the EU budget. In doing so, many Member States that are currently net recipients will become net donors.
As for Ukraine, it will be eligible for €96.5 billion under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy over seven years – a shift that will reduce agricultural subsidies to existing EU member states by around 20%. In addition, Ukraine will be eligible to receive 61 billion euros in EU cohesion funds aimed at improving infrastructure in poorer member states. However, with nine additional member states, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta will no longer be eligible for this funding.
The newspaper notes that the European Union is now weighing whether to agree to begin formal negotiations on Ukraine’s accession by the end of this year.
Earlier, the head of the European Council, Charles Michel, admitted that Ukraine could become a member of the EU by 2030.
Source: Rosbalt
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