The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, leaving a decision on Bosnia and Herzegovina for another occasion once the country meets necessary conditions, European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday following the first day of the meeting of the EU heads of state.

European Council also granted candidate status to Georgia.

“EU will open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached and has invited the commission to report by March with a view to taking such a decision,” said Michel.

He assessed the decision as a “clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent.”