Moldova's EU Path is Irreversible, Says MEP Tomac
The war in Ukraine has dramatically altered Europe's landscape and reorganised the priorities of Western European states.
As a result, the Republic of Moldova has the focus of all Western chancelleries and receives their unconditional support. This statement was made by Romanian MEP Eugen Tomac during a special edition of "ÎN CONTEXT". He argues that Moldova has long faced provocations from Russia, which has repeatedly interfered in its internal politics through Kremlin-funded parties.
"Russia has always brutally shown its interest in the Republic of Moldova's agenda of rapprochement with Romania and the European Union," Tomac said, "and we have seen aggressive reactions from Moscow on more than one occasion."
Radu Osipov: Eugen Tomac has joined us online. In the context of the Republic of Moldova being the target of an information war from Russia, which seems to be intensifying, and in the same electoral context in Europe and in the Republic of Moldova, including in Romania, do you consider that the European path of the Republic of Moldova is somehow guaranteed?
Eugen Tomac: Russia has waged a war against the Republic of Moldova for a long time, a fact not all citizens realise. Since Moldova declared its independence after the collapse of the USSR, it has been a constant target of provocations – starting with the Transnistrian conflict and continuing with Russia's brutal interference in Moldovan politics. Through subsidised parties openly supported by Putin, Russia has always sought to undermine any Moldovan aspirations towards Romania and the European Union. We've repeatedly seen aggressive reactions from Moscow to Moldova's pro-European stance.
Currently, the situation is far more complex due to the war in Ukraine. This war has reorganised the priorities of Western European states. Fortunately, the Republic of Moldova has the focus of all Western chancelleries and is unconditionally supported. The European Union's response to the Russian threat is to invite Chișinău to start accession negotiations.
This interference from Moscow is nothing new. However, their aggressive messages have strengthened the political convictions in Chișinău that this path towards Europe must continue, regardless of the sacrifices. Importantly, many Moldovan citizens understand that Russia says one thing and does quite another. They need only look at what happened in Eastern Ukraine – from Mariupol to countless other cities – to draw their own conclusions about Russia's actions. After all, crimes against humanity have been committed there.
I was in Chișinău three days ago at the Economic Forum, where the wife of the Ukrainian ambassador shared heartbreaking cases of children from Mariupol burying their parents killed in this absurd war. These are crimes that shake any rational mind. We must be vigilant against these threats and do everything possible to ensure the safety of the Republic of Moldova and its citizens, regardless of the language spoken at home. This is in the European Union's interest, and it's why Romania unconditionally supports the Republic of Moldova.
Any notion that Moldova has a better future by aligning with Russia is a profound mistake. They need only look at Mariupol to understand the true consequences of Russia's so-called "new world" and its brutal military operations.
Radu Osipov: Mr. Tomac, thank you very much for this intervention.
Eugen Tomac: You're welcome. Thank you for having me.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
