Greece and Cyprus support Ukraine’s EU membership but oppose a fast-track process as several eastern European countries have suggested, diplomatic sources told EURACTIV Greece.

According to Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources, Greece’s position is that all the procedures provided for in Article 49 of the EU Treaty should be followed.

At the same time, Athens attaches particular importance to the accession process of the Western Balkans, which must be continued and accelerated, the sources said, adding that Athens insists that the region’s European perspective is an immediate priority.

Asked if Greece agrees to grant Ukraine candidate status in June, a source close to the matter said Athens wants to see the Commission’s proposal first, although it is generally positive in such a perspective on the condition that there is unanimity among member states, which is not the case for now.

As for the Republic of Cyprus, government sources told EURACTIV Greece that it should first see in which direction the opinion issued by the European Commission will head.

If this is positive, then Cyprus would agree to a proposal in favour of granting candidate status to Ukraine. However, the source added that all relevant procedures should be strictly adhered to, therefore, the process of accession would be long.

In such an equation, the Cypriot sources said the candidate countries from the Western Balkans must be taken into account, many of which have already taken great steps towards accession, carrying out the necessary reforms and fulfilling several obligations.