The European cohesion can have absolutely unexpected and extremely beneficial effects on the Republic of Moldova. If our country, the political elite and the citizens who support the European integration show that they are devoted to the integration process, we can benefit from assistance from the EU member states. The European integration process offers a very clear development perspective, political pundit Igor Boțan stated in a public debate hosted by IPN News Agency.
The permanent expert of IPN‘s project noted that owing to the European integration process, Moldova can get rid of energy blackmail. “We will pay the market prices, will need to offer support to the vulnerably groups, but will be sure that we can develop and no one will threaten us with cuts in the supply of gas, electricity etc. The second important aspect of the European integration is the fact that our county gains a very clear development perspective. When the people know that they have perspectives, they know what direction to aim their efforts to,” said Igor Boțan.
He also said the EU’s policy towards Moldova from the start has focused on the provision of assistance for infrastructure projects. “More than ten years ago, the European diplomats clearly said in Chisinau that the Republic of Moldova, being a country with rather modest potential, should be helped to implement infrastructure projects as it does not have where to get support from for the purpose, while the Republic of Moldova’s task was to ensure a favorable business climate and independent justice with the European Union’s support for the infrastructure projects to be a kind of bait for foreign investors,” stated the expert.
Igor Boțan noted that Moldova now benefits from Romania’s extraordinary support. As a member state of the EU, Romania is interested in advancing the special relations with Moldova. For their part, the authorities of Moldova, the President’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration made an extra-effort for the Republic of Moldova, the first non-EU state, to benefits from European funds for infrastructure projects before the opening of accession negotiations with the EU.
“It’s time for the Republic of Moldova, the authorities to work actively to identify the most important areas in which expertise is necessary. This expertise, given the experience possessed by the EU, can be probably assimilated. Correct planning of activities is needed. The perspective for the Republic of Moldova is very clear. We are sure that if the perspective is clear, everything depends on our effort,” said Igor Boțan.
The permanent expert of the project noted that the pro-European parties in Moldova transmit messages to the citizens who have expectations and hope for the medium and long terms. These say that if the citizens become involved in this process at the moment, the EU will help them to overcome the energy crisis. This happens and it is evident how this system works. The parties that benefit from particular support from Russia open social stores and are supported by people with pressing needs. These become victims of political opportunists. Discussions should be held with these citizens to persuade them that this is a big problem. The forms of assistance that the government can offer should be developed so that these people do not need this speculative money.
The public debate entitled “What can Moldova gain from Connecting Europe Facility if...?” was the 284th installment of IPN’s project “Impact of the Past on Confidence and Peace Building Processes” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
