The MEPs requested that the European Council should approve the opening of accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine. A resolution to this effect was adopted by 468 votes for, 99 votes against and 58 abstentions in the European Parliament, IPN reports.

On his Facebook page, MEP Siegfried Mureșan wrote that by the given resolution, the MEPs call on the European Council, in its summit of December 14 – 15, to decide to open the accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The large number of votes “for” shows the clear support of the MEPs from all the corners of the European Union for the opening of accession negotiations with the two countries.

“We, the European Parliament, were the first European institution that asked to open the accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine by the end of the year. We asked this by a resolution initiated by me, which was voted on by Parliament in October. Now we reaffirm this request in today’s resolution. We consider the two countries are ready to open accession negotiations and this thing was confirmed by the November report of the European Commission, which consented to the opening of negotiations,” wrote the MEP.

According to him, supporting the European integration of the countries in the EU neighborhood, such as Moldova and Ukraine, is in the fundamental security interests of the European Union. The EU’s safety depends on how safe and stable the countries in its neighborhood are.

Siegfried Mureșan also said that the Enlargement Policy is in the benefit of all the European citizens. This fact was confirmed by the previous enlargement waves that contributed to the economic development of the European Union and strengthened the internal market of the EU and the EU’s position worldwide.