The recent remarks by EU’s top diplomat Federica Mogherini that the bloc is closely monitoring the formation of the future Moldovan government are balanced and reserved, but at the same time convey a sentiment of concerned resignation. Such opinions were voiced at the talk show Ora Expertizei on Jurnal TV.

Public policy expert Ștefan Gligor thinks the EU’s discourse is very balanced and reserved, if not innocuous. “It’s not as emphatic as the statements and resolutions by the European Parliament, like those that froze macroeconomic aid and which said some things very incisevely in the context of the electoral reform”, says Gligor. In his opinion, the rhetoric is balanced because the EU expects the Moldovan opposition to take matters into its hands.

Journalist Alexandru Cozer says he sees a sentiment of resignation in the latest messages from the EU. Whereas during the campaign EU official voices were stronger, underscoring the importance of free and fair elections, now their message is more resigned.

Political pundit Vlad Țurcanu says that the term of “being concerned” in the diplomatic vernacular means that things in Moldova are quite serious. He doesn’t think that the EU has a plan for Moldova at present. “We shouldn’t expect the European Union to solve our problems. If we want this formal attitude to be replaced with a more active involvement on the EU’s part, it’s time to see responsible and serious politicians and parties emerge in Moldova. Civil society should join together and make its voice heard so that the EU could know who they can talk with in Chisinau”, says Vlad Țurcanu.

EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stated that the EU was keeping a close eye on the formation of the government in Chisinau and how its program would be put into practice. She also said the EU needed to stay vigilant on the rule of law situation and the implementation of the Association Agreement.