MEP Siegfried Muresan said a possible discussion on the entry into the EU would not be to Moldova’s advantage now because Europe is not yet ready for enlargement. Also, the perception is that the Republic of Moldova is not ready for accession now and does not meet the conditions. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, the MEP said the implementation of the Association Agreement should be now a priority as this is the best method of coming closer to the EU, IPN reports.

“Concrete benefits for the citizens of Moldova can be also obtained by implementing the Association Agreement. An abstract discussion about the submission of an application in Brussels does not help the people, does not generate jobs and stability and does not lead to stronger justice, prosecution service, and anticorruption or integrity institutions. The improvement of the functioning of institutions and justice and the combating of fraud and tax evasion are possible through the implementation of the Association Agreement,” stated Siegfried Muresan.

The official recommends the Moldovan authorities not to start now discussions about letters sent to Brussels and applications for accession, but to put the Association Agreement into practice. “If Moldova in five-six years is better prepared for accession because it implemented the Association Agreement, if it is reformed and its institutions are powerful, this discussion about the accession will be much easier and will not meet with resistance in Brussels. Now it will regretfully meet with resistance,” said the MEP.

According to him, the EU should play a much firmer role in the Republic of Moldova and must make sure that the Government implements what it pledged to. He thus reiterated his proposal for the European Union to designate a high-level representative responsible for Moldova.