Ana Tinca, state secretary for strategic affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, says that in 2022, when Moldova obtained EU candidate status, the country achieved a remarkable performance: that of advancing concretely and visibly in the course of European integration. It is an effort of the authorities, but also of the whole society. The official stated that, beyond all the concrete benefits of integration into the European Union, this is a fundamental option to become part of a family of values ​​and principles.

According to the official, there was an extremely complicated geopolitical context, marked by multiple crises and difficulties on different levels. But in a short time, the Republic of Moldova managed to take steps from an incipient perspective, barely outlined, to a formal candidate status.

“It is a truly historic success, which belongs to the authorities, but it is also a success of those who work in these authorities and who have made major efforts with limited resources to implement reforms in all areas. At the same time, it is undoubtedly a success of the entire society, because the society of the Republic of Moldova played a key role. Starting with the decision in the electoral moments, when the clear option for pro-European and pro-democratic forces was expressed, later in all stages, because there was a very important support for this European path and for all the associated reforms that we know about, from our own experience, that they are not easy”, mentioned Ana Tinca.

The Romanian state secretary declared that this entire path of the Republic of Moldova, this commitment of the authorities and society to capitalize on the opportunities, have awakened a wave of sympathy in the EU member states. “What happened during the last few years and the approach of the Republic of Moldova to the EU was also felt on the left bank of the Nistru. For 2023 there is a record figure for exports from the left bank to EU countries. We are talking about a percentage of approximately 70%. It is a record figure since the signing by the Republic of Moldova of the Association Agreement with the EU”, said the official.

In her opinion, this increased value of commercial exchanges, access to opportunities in the field of education, in the field of the right to work, to the European cultural space are practically the first benefits that the inhabitants of the Transnistrian region will perceive in connection with the proximity to the EU. “But, in the end, I think it’s important that the prosperity on the right bank attracts like a magnet, naturally, the left bank towards this European path”, said Ana Tinca.

The statements were made during the Professional Training Program “Romanian Values ​​in the Field of European Affairs”, financed by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova and carried out in partnership with the Romanian Diplomatic Institute.