A landmark day for the history of the European Union’s expansion – this is how the President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, qualified the decision of the 27 EU member states to start accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, reports IPN.

Nicusor Dan emphasized that Romania has consistently supported the European path of the two states and will continue to support them during the accession process, through expertise and multisectoral cooperation. “A united Europe, which expands its space for democracy, security and prosperity, is a stronger and more competitive Europe. The future of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine is in the European family,” stated the President of Romania.

With a message also came MEP Siegfried Muresan, who mentioned that the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in the reform process and is currently among the candidate states with the best results in implementing the commitments undertaken. He expressed his confidence that Moldova could become a member state of the European Union in the coming years, with the constant support of the European Parliament.

The European Union will open on Monday the first stage of accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, after the ambassadors of the 27 member states have unanimously approved the common negotiating position. The decision comes following an agreement between the governments of Budapest and Kiev regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.