The European Union transmitted to Russia the message that Moldova is not abandoned to deal with the external pressure by itself. Such a message was sent by the visit of the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy to Chisinau on May 13. This opinion is shared by the executive director of the Public Policy Institute Arcadie Barbarosie and foreign policy expert Lina Grau. The executive director of the Foreign Policy Association Victor Chirila believes that the European officials’ visit is an attempt to motivate the Moldovan authorities to be attentive as they can take wrong steps in this period.

Arcadie Barbarosie has told IPN that the main goal of Rompuy’s visit to Chisinau was to show that Moldova is supported in its European integration efforts. “It’s an act showing solidarity with Moldovan society, especially given the events in Ukraine, the Russian military aggression in Ukraine. Such risks exist in Moldova too. It is a signal that Moldova will not be abandoned, intended for Russia,” he stated.

According to Lina Grau, Herman Van Rompuy’s announcement that the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU will be signed on June 27 was not surprising, but the fact that the invitation to sign the accord was transmitted by an official visit to Chisinau means that the country became important for the EU and that it is supported by it. “At a certain moment, they said that some of the countries do not approve of Moldova’s association with the EU. But now we can say that we are supported unanimously,” she said.

Lina Grau also said that the second significance of the visit is the transmission to Russia of the message that the West insists that Moldova should stick to the European course and will not be left alone in the face of Russia.

Victor Chirila considers that by important visits made by European officials, they try to stimulate the country’s European integration efforts and to prevent the Moldovan authorities from taking wrong steps in a period that is important for the path to the EU.