Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon, believes that the EU will start accession talks with Ukraine when it fulfills the seven criteria of the European Commission.

She said this in an interview with "European Pravda."

"I am very happy that Ukraine obtained EU candidacy. It was a very strong symbolic and political message that you are part of Europe and have a clear European perspective," said Tanja Fajon.

She stressed: "It depends only on you when you start the accession talks. You have the list of things you have to deliver - first, the judicial reform. You have to prove them before you take the next step. This is a normal process based on the merits of your country. When you obtain candidacy, it is not about symbolism. It is about the pre-accession fund and the whole reform process. After that, the EU is obliged to start accession talks."

There is no direct obligation in the EU documents to start accession talks with Ukraine after fulfilling the criteria of the European Commission.

Fajon emphasizes the process may take a long time, but it can be faster if there is political will in the EU and commitment in Ukraine.

"Of course, you can always question if there is a political will on the side of the EU governments. Today, it is high. But I cannot say whether it will last long," she added.

To start accession talks, the European Commission should report on Ukraine's achievements by the end of this year.

The European Commission will consider the progress made by Ukraine on the seven key requirements that the EU identified, granting candidate status.

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, Matti Maasikas, noted that nominating the head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office delivered on one of the recommendations that accompanied the EU candidate status.