Cristina Gherasimov: Moldova ready to open EU talks with backing from all 27 states
The Republic of Moldova is entering a crucial phase in its European Union (EU) accession process: the official start of accession negotiations. This comes after successfully completing an important technical stage known as the screening stage, which involves aligning national legislation with European law. Cristina Gherasimov, the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, announced on Moldova 1 TV that the authorities in Chisinau are prepared to commence negotiations in September.
We are nearing the end of the screening process, during which we analyze national legislation to European legislation. In September, we will finalize this important stage of the negotiation process. At the beginning of July, the European Council published conclusions stating clearly that the Republic of Moldova is ready to open the first group of chapters, specifically Cluster 1, which pertains to fundamental values. In the coming weeks, when everyone returns from vacation, we will hold discussions on how to open this first group of chapters," said Cristina Gherasimov on Moldova 1 TV.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that negotiations will begin with the most critical pillar of European integration: the rule of law, the functioning of justice, and fundamental rights. To demonstrate its commitment to Brussels, the Moldovan authorities approved three roadmaps that represent a "reform agenda for the coming years."
"In our discussions in Brussels, we are acknowledged for all the reforms we have implemented during this technical stage. We have met all the necessary criteria to open the first group of chapters. To achieve this, our country has adopted three roadmaps concerning the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, and justice and security. These three roadmaps represent our reform agenda for the coming years and served as the criteria evaluating our readiness for the first group of chapters and negotiations," explained Cristina Gherasimov.
The Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration asserted that despite external pressures and a complex security context, Chisinau enjoys unanimous support from EU member states.
"We have the full backing of all 27 member states. For instance, Latvia actively supports us on our path. The ongoing dialogue with these countries is essential for maintaining the trust built over the past five years," Gherasimov stated.
During her recent visits to Northern Europe, the Deputy Prime Minister addressed the challenges the Republic of Moldova faces on its European path.
"We discussed how we are managing various challenges, including cyberattacks, disinformation, and enhancing the government’s capacity to provide better service to citizens. From Lithuania, we received news about tripling assistance to counter disinformation. From Latvia, we gained additional support for strengthening administrative capacity and signed a memorandum with the University of Riga to train civil servants in European Law. Finland expressed interest in investing in renewable energy, a dialogue that will continue among the relevant ministers," Gherasimov highlighted on the Moldova 1 TV.
Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that rapprochement with the European Union means benefits for citizens and funding available through the pre-accession process.
"The government will invest in the coming years, including through the Economic Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, in the modernization of public services—whether it be trains, buses, infrastructure, or digitalization. These investments will significantly improve people's lives," she affirmed.
In a geopolitical context characterized by the hybrid war waged by the Russian Federation in the region, Gherasimov cautioned the public about the dangers of disinformation and manipulation.
"We live in a time when both state institutions and ordinary citizens are easy targets for false narratives. It is crucial to gather information from official sources. The government maintains official pages on Facebook and Telegram to communicate directly with the public. We must trust our citizens; they can discern truth from lies. This is not the first time our country has been targeted by these hybrid attacks designed to instill fear and instability beyond what actually exists," Cristina Gherasimov emphasized on the public television station.
