Moldova EU accession: European Parliament reaffirms support amid geopolitical tensions
The Republic of Moldova is gaining increasing strategic importance within the European Union, European Parliament (EP) Vice-President Victor Negrescu has said.
This comes as the bloc redefines its enlargement and regional security policies. Furthermore, Moldova is also on the agenda for the first plenary session of the European Parliament this autumn, which is taking place this week in Strasbourg.
Speaking to Radio Moldova on Tuesday, the European Parliament's rapporteur for relations with the Republic of Moldova, Victor Negrescu, reaffirmed his strong support for the country's European path. He also stressed the need to strengthen its resilience in the face of geopolitical tensions and hybrid warfare.
The MEP said EU accession "means prosperity for people," adding that once integrated, the country would become a strong state whose voice "will be heard in Brussels and Strasbourg."
The EP stands in solidarity with Moldovan citizens.
"I believe and am convinced that many colleagues in the European Parliament will support this request for Moldova to begin accession chapter negotiations with the EU immediately. Inside the European Union, Moldova will be stronger and will be able to exercise its sovereignty more coherently. This automatically means the voice of Moldovan citizens will be heard in Brussels or Strasbourg," Mr Negrescu told Radio Moldova.
The European official noted that "a battle for values and principles is being fought in the Republic of Moldova," and Russia "is using all means to block the country's European path." In this regard, the MEP emphasised that "Europe must react," and the European Parliament "will continue to stand in solidarity with the citizens of the Republic of Moldova."
Mr Negrescu also said that EU accession would strengthen Moldova's voice within European institutions. "I must tell you that European states and national parliaments have a strong say in the adoption of European legislation; they can even have a right of veto over European legislation," the European Parliament Vice-President added.
Maia Sandu's role in consolidating Moldova's reputation.
Mr Negrescu noted the progress of the Republic of Moldova in consolidating its reputation at a European and international level, attributing part of this success to President Maia Sandu.
"The Republic of Moldova is currently experiencing its best period in terms of its European and international reputation. I must acknowledge that this is also due to President Maia Sandu. I will also be taking part in a series of meetings that the president will hold with political leaders in the European Parliament on Tuesday. We want to hear what is happening in the country and what the ambitions of the Republic of Moldova are," the European Parliament Vice-President said.
The MEP also mentioned that President Sandu's speech, scheduled for Tuesday in the European Parliament plenary, will be "crucial" for demonstrating to European leaders the challenges facing Moldova.
"I heard the appeal of Moldovan intellectuals, also supported by Romanian intellectuals, for the Republic of Moldova to become a member state of the European Union starting in 2028. It is an ambitious project that I personally support," he said, adding that EU accession "means prosperity for people" and that Moldovan citizens "know what is best for the Republic of Moldova."
EP office to open in Chișinău after elections.
To accelerate the European integration process, the European Parliament has scheduled the opening of an office in Chișinău, but this will happen after the parliamentary elections to avoid the electoral context.
"There is already a dialogue with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in this regard, and I want to thank my colleagues in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova for their support, and the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova for supporting this initiative," said Mr Negrescu.
The representation will have a team of three people who will work daily to support the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in the accession process, legislative harmonisation and combating disinformation.
"We have a team at the European Parliament level that currently supports the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in combating fake news about Europe. I am convinced that this office will be an efficient one," the MEP concluded.
The Republic of Moldova is a central topic on the agenda of the first plenary session of the European Parliament this autumn in Strasbourg.
During the session, three major events are scheduled: the negotiation and vote on a Resolution on supporting Moldova's EU accession process, as well as strengthening its resilience in the face of threats from the Russian Federation; the plenary debate on this resolution, with an emphasis on the financial support mechanisms offered through European funds; and President Maia Sandu's speech to the European Parliament, scheduled for Tuesday at noon.
Translation by Iure Tataru
