"The Government strongly supports the European Commission's recommendation to begin accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, two European nations heavily impacted by Russia's unjustifiable war and long-standing threats to their territorial integrity. There are still some measures that need to be done in both countries before the actual start of discussions, on which the Commission will report by next March." Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni uttered these remarks in the Chamber of Deputies prior to the December 14 and 15 European Council. "We also support the Commission's recommendation that Georgia be granted candidate status. In this case, too, the European Commission has highlighted the remaining measures to be implemented, and I am confident that on the Georgian side, we will continue on the path of reforms with the same zeal demonstrated thus far." In terms of the Western Balkans, "Italy wholeheartedly supports Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path. The awarding of candidate status last year has already resulted in progress toward EU changes. Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to make more progress within the negotiating framework than outside of it, and I believe that demonstrating strong support for the country's European route to the Sarajevo administration will have a tremendously favorable effect on internal dynamics. Again, the Commission's recommendation includes conditions connected to the implementation of several significant internal changes, which we believe will be met".
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