Moldova's EU path: First negotiation chapter nears
The European Council reaffirmed the European Union's strong support for the Republic of Moldova on its path to accession, noting the Commission's assessment that Moldova is ready to open the first negotiation chapter, which focuses on fundamental values.
This is according to a draft of the European Council summit's final decision, which began on Thursday, June 26, in Brussels.
While the draft doesn't offer certainty regarding the actual start of negotiations, sources within the European Union told Teleradio-Moldova that the decision to open the first EU-Republic of Moldova negotiation cluster could be made today, following a unanimous vote in the European Council, provided no member state of the bloc objects to the Republic of Moldova.
Any decision to open the first negotiation cluster for the Republic of Moldova's accession to the European Union would require a unanimous vote from all the bloc's member states, each represented by their president or prime minister in the European Council.
Should a favorable decision be made for the country, Moldova could be decoupled from Ukraine, with whom it has been hand-in-hand in the accession process until now, our sources add.
Hungary continues to oppose the opening of the first negotiation cluster with its neighbor. The Hungarian government, led by Viktor Orbán, announced on June 26 that 95% of participants in a national consultation opposed Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
An official communiqué from the European Council indicates that EU leaders, gathered in Brussels, will discuss the situation in the Republic of Moldova and the country's EU accession process, in anticipation of the first EU-Moldova summit, which will take place in Chișinău on July 4.
"The EU firmly supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity, resilience, and economic development of the Republic of Moldova," the communiqué notes.
Regarding Ukraine, EU leaders will review recent developments in Russia's war of aggression and discuss ways to further support peace efforts, alongside partners, including exerting greater pressure on Russia to accept a genuine ceasefire and demonstrate a real willingness to negotiate.
"EU leaders will also address the progress of Ukraine's EU accession process. The European Council welcomes all efforts towards achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine," the official communiqué further states.
It's worth noting that Moldova applied for European Union membership on March 3, 2022, the same day as Georgia and three days after Ukraine.
On June 23, 2022, the European Council granted the Republic of Moldova candidate status for accession to the European Union, with a series of conditions for starting accession negotiations, including the need to implement reforms in key areas such as justice, rule of law, combating corruption, media freedom, and strengthening democratic institutions.
On December 14, 2023, the European Council approved the opening of negotiations for the Republic of Moldova's accession to the European Union, with Moldova being one of the nine EU candidate countries, alongside Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Authorities in Chișinău have announced their desire for Moldova to join the European Union by the end of the current European Commission's mandate.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
