A petition says that Luxembourg should support for Ukraine to join the EU in the next ten years  Photo: Luc Deflorenne

A petition says that Luxembourg should support for Ukraine to join the EU in the next ten years  Photo: Luc Deflorenne

Public petitions that opened for signature on Friday--with the chance to be debated in parliament--call for Luxembourg’s unequivocal support of EU membership of Ukraine as well as special leave for persons volunteering to help refugees.

As the war in Ukraine enters its second month, a petition in Luxembourg says the country should be able to join the EU within the next ten years.

Ukraine formally requested to become an EU member on 28 February, with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy asking for “the immediate accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure."

There is no fast-track procedure for countries to join the EU, a lengthy process that sees candidates submit to formal membership negotiations, usually involving a slate of reforms. Accession negotiations with Serbia, for example, have been ongoing since 2014.

Reforms can be in a number of policy areas, including the economy but also rule of law, media freedoms and civil liberties, and more. EU governments must agree on the candidate’s progress to close individual reform chapters. Only once every chapter is closed can the negotiation process conclude.

The European Parliament on 3 March overwhelmingly adopted a non-binding resolution calling on EU countries to work towards Ukraine becoming a member.

Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) has supported the idea but warned that there are procedures that must be followed. He said that throwing overboard existing rules could threaten European unity on the topic.

A petition over for signature since 25 March says that Luxembourg should Ukraine’s membership bid and allow the country’s accession in the next ten years.

“The Ukrainian population needs a perspective and must be supported by us on its path. Ukraine is a sovereign country and has freedom of choice. It has chosen its path and is being ruthlessly punished,” the petition says.

With around 4,000 refugees from Ukraine already having arrived in Luxembourg, a says that during times of war and crisis, people volunteering to support refugees should be able to receive time off from work.

Special leave exists for other reasons, such as education or political office, and the petition says that this should be extended to volunteering for refugees.

Petitions that receive more than 4,500 signatures must be debated in parliament with MPs and representatives of the government. Any resident aged 15 or over with a Luxembourg social security number can sign a public petition.