PM António Costa has hinted at a new EU structure for non-Member States, including those “that have left the EU and want to return”. He was talking in the context of Ukraine’s bid to join the EU, which will be considered later this summer. Stressing that whatever is decided, Ukraine’s adhesion will take years, Mr Costa referred to what he called a ‘bold proposal’ made by French president Macron to “create another type of organisation in the European framework, where there can be not only EU states but others, such as candidates, States that have left and are now reconsidering, and those that have been dragging their feet in accession processes. “EU membership cannot be the only answer for the organisation of Europe nor can it be the only answer in emergency situations like the one we see today in Ukraine”, he told journalists.
