The Moldovan authorities are determined to cover all the stages of the European course by political will and intelligent differentiation combined with common responsibility so as to achieve the aspirations to have a European future. The European integration is Moldova’s internal agenda and the relationship with the EU should be based on confidence, pragmatism and concrete results. Such opinions were stated in the fifth Annual Moldovan European Integration Debate Forum, IPN reports.
Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu said the results of the recent events, including the Eastern Partnership Summit and the meeting in the 5+2 format held in Vienna, should be assessed in a proper way. “The relationship between Moldova and the European Union should be based on confidence and results. The period when the Republic of Moldova was trusted blindly has passed. Since January 2016 until present, the Republic of Moldova has had a relationship based not on conditionality, but rather on results and on the “more for more” principle with the European Union,” he stated, adding that the authorities in the immediate period will concentrate their efforts on increasing the internal capacities so as to manage to implement the Association Agreement and the DCFTA in a highly qualitative way and in an optimal period.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Galbur said the Republic of Moldova, when it more efficiently fulfills the commitments assumed before the European Union, proves by deeds its attachment to the principles on which the European integration process is based. “Also, the bigger and more visible the impact and pace of implementing the Association Agreement are, the greater is our people’s trust,” noted Andrei Galbur. According to the minister, “implementation” is the key word for the immediate period and there are the mechanisms and instruments needed to do the homework.
Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Peter Michalko noted the results that Moldova achieved on the path of European integration are visible, but what is yet to be done is also evident. It is important to continue the economic reforms, to fight corruption, to regain trust in the justice sector. These things are extremely important for each citizen. As regards the Moldova – EU relationship, Peter Michalko said this reached a high-quality level. Moldova has an Association Agreement with the EU, the DCFTA and thus enjoys all the possibilities as a partner. It is important for the people to understand how their life will change as consumers, employees, entrepreneurs, etc. Only with political will and huge efforts can things be moved on.
Attending the event, MEP Andi Cristea said the Republic of Moldova is regarded as a partner that has a European future. “We want to see real European values here, in the Republic of Moldova, as we have them in the European Union. Surely, this process is complex and long-lasting and, even if we realize that the road will be long, we are ready to cover it together,” he stated.
According to ex-Premier Ion Sturza, even if they say that the European integration is Moldova’s country project, we should be sincere and admit that there are also other country projects in the small Moldovan society, like the union with Romania, integration into the Eurasian Union or consolidation of statehood. Ambition is needed to modernize the country according to the European model and there is no need to invent something new. Ultimately, the people want a modern, prosperous country with a developed economic area where their rights would be respected. If Moldova does not do its homework and does not become a provider of stability, it won’t have a successful European path.
The fifth Annual Moldovan European Integration Debate Forum was organized by the Foreign Policy Association of Moldova and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moldova in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
