EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW // Martin Dvořák: Republic of Moldova is on the right way. It deserves to be an EU member
The Republic of Moldova is on the right way and has the ability to fulfill all the criteria to join the European Union, said the Minister of European Affairs of the Czech Republic, Martin Dvořák, in an exclusive interview for Moldova 1. The official mentioned that the Czech Republic supports the expansion of the EU and will continue to support the Republic of Moldova not only at the political level, but also with expertise and consultancy.
Moldova 1: Twenty years have passed since the biggest wave of enlargement of the European Union. In 2004, ten countries became members of the EU, including the Czech Republic. How was the country's path until it became an EU member? What were the challenges the country went through? How long did it take for the Czech Republic to align with EU standards?
Martin Dvořák: You know, it was pretty lengthy path because we started as a Czechoslovakia together in 1989 by this „velvet revolution”. One of the main topic mottoes was “Back to Europe”, so it was an aim and a dream of our inhabitants to be a part of European family, not the EU itself. Then, after all of the history with the Slovakia, we've continued as an independent Czechia and it was pretty long lengthy to pass again, because, I guess, in 1996 we submitted an official application to EU and then in 2003 we had a referendum, what you are facing this fall I understand, and then in 2004 we became a member, so it was together about 15 years.
Moldova 1: How has EU accession influenced the standard of living in the Czech Republic? Has the country managed to solve certain problems, for example, economic ones, by being an EU member?
Martin Dvořák: There is no doubt that we got a lot of advantages from our membership including the economic advantages, profits. On the other hand, we maybe didn't use all of the possibilities and potentials what we have had available but anyway I can just say briefly that by very beginning we were at the 80 percent of the standard of EU and the living standard and now we are a little bit more than 90 percent, so it is a huge step. On the other hand, we hope then that we will be actually on the hundred percent of European average so we maybe missed some opportunities, but anyway it's very important it's open the door for the european market for almost one half a billion of people consumers and it's a huge challenge and advantage and profit for our companies, because we are export-oriented country and our export grew up rapidly and, of course, the living standard grew as well. On the other hand, it's necessary to repeat again and again it's not only about money, also we've got a lot of money coming directly from Brussels, I mean it was about one billion of czech crowns during this 20 years, but it's not only about money. It's mainly about the shared values we have to understand that Europe is a company of shared values, democracy, freedom, independence and stability and prosperity of course. Prosperity is important but it's not only the one what is european membership bringing on giving to the members. So, yes, our living standard improved rapidly thanks to EU, maybe we didn't use all of the opportunities rapidly but still it's a very good result after 20 years of membership.
Moldova 1: The EU is preparing for a new enlargement, through the accession of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine an Western Balkans. But Moldova and Ukraine are taken "as a package". The government in Prague obtained the signatures of 11 countries asking the Belgian presidency of the EU to start the accession negotiations of Moldova and Ukraine by the end of this month. What exactly does this letter represent? Was it necessary? Have you discussed with the rest of the member countries to sign?
Martin Dvořák: I'm very proud to be one of those who initiated this letter. Actually, we have two more members, Spain and Ireland. They ask us to be also present at the letter and we really hope that it will be possible under this kind of pressure or help for belgian presidency to reach this goal what means to start negotiations with Moldova and especially to have an intergovernmental conference, what is a very important step, maybe more symbolical than exact, but anyway we really believe that we will be able to work together with our co-sponsors and with belgian presidency to reach this goal and to move Moldova and Ukraine near to the next step to EU, because we really believe that you deserve it, you are doing excellent job in your homeworks and you are well prepared and I wish you the best in the referendum and please take this letter as a kind of support of your aims and dreams.
Moldova 1: The rotating presidency of the EU is taken over on July 1 by Hungary, which has certain objections regarding Ukraine. Do you think that Budapest's actions to delay Kiev's European course can also affect Chisinau?
Martin Dvořák: It's not very fair if the politicians and government members are speculating about motivation. On the other hand, it's more and more clear that Hungary is the one who is trying to slow down if not stop the movement and the progress of Moldova and Ukraine's membership of EU or the path to EU. Let's not speculate about the motivation why they are doing it. They are playing some specific game but, on the other hand, I really believe on power of european unity, not union, a unity of european members to push everyone to accept and adopt our common strategy and our goal to help you in your way towards european membership.
Moldova 1: Do you agree with abandoning unanimity on foreign policy and budget issues in the process of reforming the European Union, given that Hungary is somewhat accused of abusing its veto right?
Martin Dvořák: It is very sensitive issue in Czechia. I have to be clear that my personal opinion is a little bit different than the governmental one. I am more open for any debate about veto right and how to use it or maybe even reduce the veto power for future, because I think we have to debate about more flexible Europe for the next generation or next period we are facing a lot of whole black swan I mean the war the pandemic or some catastrophe in nature etc. I think we have to think how to improve this ability of Europe to react promptly and veto right is one of the instruments which is slowing down the process, so I think we have to discuss about it. On the other hand, I have to be clear the czech government is standing on the position „Don't touch veto right”, it's our sovereignty measure and we have to keep it, but I believe that even in czech government we will be able to discuss what can we do for this. On the one side we have to, as i said, to improve a little bit the ability of EU to react on important issues, on the other hand, we have to protect the rights of small countries, that are afraid to be overwhelmed, so we have to find some kind of compromise our way how to do that.
Moldova 1: In the current security context, can we see preparation for this new expansion as a "geostrategic necessity"?
Martin Dvořák: I believe we could. We have to think about it once again, we are facing the situation short before the election. Always someone is short before the election. It's very hard to say to the population „look, we have to send some our money to someone to help”. On the other hand, I believe that we are, as a EU, strong enough to help you and to support your way, so I believe we will be able to find a compromise or way how to improve the sources for it.
Moldova 1: The event at the end of June will allow a detailed assessment of the preparation of the Republic of Moldova for accession. Do you consider the Republic of Moldova a country ready to become an EU member?
Martin Dvořák: To be absolutely fair not yet, but you are definitely on the right way. It was maybe easier for us by very beginning but you have to be patient and to understand that it is a long, very lengthy path, and they could take some years. But definitely I am happy to confirm that Moldova, as well as Ukraine, especially you, are on the very right way, you are doing your homework as good as possible and you are definitely showing and presenting your devotion to the values and your ability to reach the goals and to fulfill all of the criteria and everything. You are just by very beginning, we absolutely fair, so we cross our fingers for you and we believe that the referendum will confirm that not only just few people but i mean majority of the people is supporting entrance or membership and then let's work together and by the way i'd like to say that Czechia is absolutely ready and prepared to support you not only by political way but also by some collaboration with our experts because we have still the experience in and there are some plenty people they are they still remember the procedure in our specific case so I believe we will be able to provide you with some group of experts and consultation etc. so we are supporting you forever.
Moldova 1: You mentioned about the referendum. How did the Czech Republic manage to convince its citizens of the advantages of joining the Union?
Martin Dvořák: As I already said, by very beginning, in 90s, it was very easy because we had a still experience with Russian occupation and communism or communist regime, so it was very easy to convince people. They knew that it's better solution to be a member of western part of Europe and democratic world and not to be anymore a part of soviet zone. But now, after 20 years, maybe the support is not so strong, because people now are facing also some troubles and complications or challenges what they didn't expect by very beginning, but still, Thanks God, the support is higher than one half. We have about 60 percent of support, by the way, during the referendum time it was 77 percent were voting for our membership. So it was not so difficult to convince them then, now it's difficult to keep them in this position that is good to be a member of the EU.
Moldova 1: In your opinion, what should the Republic of Moldova do in this regard, in order to reach, for example, the percentage of polls - 58% in favor of joining the EU?
Martin Dvořák: I think the younger the people are the more pro-european and more optimistic they are, because they have already their own experience with the life, with studying, with traveling, with making business, all around through european countries and they understand the profits and the benefits what we are getting. The other people sometimes, you know, are looking beyond the shoulder that maybe during the communist at least we were sure that we will have something, it was minimal, but now we are facing some challenges and I really believe that this government is able to keep the sentiment of the population that, really, to be a member of EU make sense. By the way, also during our presidency I think they had opportunity to see that we are not just the members, we are respected members of the family, we are not just getting some orders from Brussels, we are able to produce it, to discuss and to formulate the common policies and strategies and this is something would move a little bit even the Czech government position near to the EU and I believe this movement will continue.
Moldova 1: Since the Republic of Moldova became a candidate state, many Czech officials have said that they support our country's European path. Will the Czech Republic continue to support the Republic of Moldova to advance on the path of integration as quickly as possible? And what would this support be in practical terms?
Martin Dvořák: As I already said, yes, we are on your side. For long term we are supporting enlargement of EU, including Moldova Ukraine and, maybe, Georgia, I don't know, I’m not sure at the moment. We are speaking about western Balkan and, as I said, we are ready and offering a lot of support not only by, let's say political power, but also using our experts and people. They are experienced with the procedure how to reach the EU, what to do, how to reach aquis and what do you need to do in a specific step, which is very complicated, it's not easy. I believe we are in touch with your leaders and we already offered this support and help. So I believe you will be able to collaborate and help you.
