EU Enlargement Forum | PM Alexandru Munteanu: “Enlargement is Europe’s best response to the war in Ukraine”
The citizens of the Republic of Moldova have demonstrated their strong commitment to a European path and have expressed a clear desire to join the European Union. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu made this statement during the first EU Enlargement Forum, organized by the European Commission in Brussels on November 18. This event signifies a heightened discussion about potential future members of the European community, including the Republic of Moldova.
"Citizens of the Republic of Moldova have chosen Europe three times, despite hostile interference"
In a speech to European officials and diplomats at the forum, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu emphasized that the Republic of Moldova's European path is not merely a political goal but a strong decision made by its citizens, clearly expressed through decisive elections. He stated, "The citizens of the Republic of Moldova, in parliamentary elections, presidential elections, and referendums, have clearly indicated that they want to be part of the European Union. Clearly and unequivocally."
The Prime Minister openly discussed the pressures facing Moldova, a country situated near the war in Ukraine. He explained that the Republic of Moldova has successfully resisted massive disinformation campaigns and attempts at foreign influence. “Malignant forces have invested hundreds of millions to distort the will of the people. However, Moldova has triumphed. Three times,” he asserted during the EU Enlargement Forum.
Munteanu declared that EU membership is not just a political aspiration but the strongest investment in the future and security of the continent. “Europe’s enlargement is, in my opinion, the best response to the brutal war in Ukraine and the instability created by our unpredictable neighbor. It is a shared investment in the stability of Europe,” he noted.
He reaffirmed Moldova's commitment to reforms, even amid regional conflict. “The war on our doorstep is not an excuse to neglect judicial reform, combat corruption, or develop the economy. We are pursuing all these objectives in parallel,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Von der Leyen: “Benefits of enlargement are already visible”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a video message, highlighted the positive effects of EU enlargement, noting that countries that joined in the last wave have seen remarkable economic transformations, including doubling living standards and creating 6 million jobs.
She insisted that the benefits of enlargement should be felt by candidate countries even before formal accession, through the opening of the single market, integration of local industries, and strategic investments in energy and transport. “This is how we build a Europe of shared prosperity. Europe is more than a union. Europe is our home,” the President of the European Commission emphasized.
Marta Kos: “We must eradicate autocracies. Enlargement is the answer”
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos contextualized the accession process within the current tense geopolitical landscape, stressing that democratic transformations in Central and Eastern Europe have been facilitated by enlargement.
“Reforms are yielding positive results, and the Republic of Moldova is one of the countries making significant progress. Gradual integration is already a reality for the candidate countries,” Kos remarked. However, she cautioned that there would be no shortcuts for any state: “Our Union is based on trust. Successful enlargement can only occur when this trust is grounded in merit.”
The Commissioner confirmed that by 2027, both the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine will be integrated into the EU energy market, thereby reducing their vulnerability to external pressures.
Kaja Kallas: "Enlargement is not a natural process, but a geopolitical imperative."
The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that EU enlargement is not merely a technical procedure but a strategic necessity. “The world order is changing. For Europe’s geopolitical power, it matters how many of us share common views,” she stated.
Her remarks also addressed member states that do not align with the common foreign policy, stating, “When we are not united, we lack the geopolitical strength we should possess.”
European officials reaffirmed at the first Forum dedicated to EU Enlargement that the Republic of Moldova, an EU candidate country facing hybrid threats, economic pressures, and attempts at destabilization—intensified by Russia's war against Ukraine—is a priority in the enlargement agenda, along with Ukraine and the countries of the Western Balkans.
