The elections in Moldova are very important because they will decide if the country goes towards the European Union or not. At the same time, the upcoming presidential elections are very important not only for Moldova, but also for the whole region and for the EU, chairman of the Committee on European Affairs of the German Bundestag Gunther Krichbaum stated in an interview for Radio Free Europe, IPN reports.

According to the German official, the voters must decide if Moldova should follow the path to European integration. “On the one hand, the elections will involve such candidates as Maia Sandu and Iurie Leanca, who have European views. On the other hand, there is such a caudate as Igor Dodon, who follows another direction, the Eastern one,” stated Gunther Krichbaum.

He noted that it’s not right to name a date when Moldova will file an application for membership in the EU or when it is accepted. “The justice sector reform and the reform in the government procurement sector are the most important things now. The country must fight corruption and organized crime. These are the first steps that must be taken and Germany supports and will support Moldova not only in the 5+2 Transnistrian settlement talks,” said the chairman of the Committee on European Affairs of the Bundestag.

Gunther Krichbaum noted the EU is not against new members, but it has the Thessaloniki agenda, which says that the Western Balkan Countries have a clear perspective of becoming members of the EU one day. This is true about Moldova too. But reforms should be first of all done. Democracy should function, the law should be respected everywhere, while the press should be free. These are common values of the EU. Not the EU, but Moldova needs reforms.