President Maia Sandu said the granting of the EU candidate status to the Republic of Moldova is a geopolitical opportunity. “The aspirations of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to join the European Union became stronger during the 30 years of independence. It wasn’t a smooth path, but today we are at the point when a historic decision is to be taken: granting of the candidate status to the Republic of Moldova,” President Sandu stated in an Op-Ed that was published by G4Media, El Pais, Le Figaro, Die Welt, Le Soir, Gazeta Wyborcza, Publico and La Repubblica, IPN reports.
Maia Sandu noted that at the height of the most serious security crisis in the region and in Europe, the Republic of Moldova is now at a historic moment. The decision to submit the application for EU membership on March 3 confirms the country’s unambiguous wish to anchor firmly in the free world. “We hope the leaders of the European Union will support our candidacy at the June 23-23 meeting of the European Council and will recognize this unique geopolitical opportunity. It is a geopolitical opportunity that extends the EU security, defends the European values and makes unity stronger,” stated the official.
She said the European Union became the main political, commercial and investment partner of the Republic of Moldova. Two-thirds of Moldova’s exports reach the European market already, contributing to the country’s integration into the EU. The Government promotes policies to improve the business climate and investment climate in Moldova.
According to President Sandu, the submission of the application for EU membership is a choice based on the aspirations of the Moldovan people. Each third Moldovan is already a citizen of the EU. Many Moldovans work and study in Europe. “A European Moldova will bring more stability in Eastern Europe, will develop trade and will extend the region’s prosperity. The candidate country status also offers us the opportunity to find a peaceful solution to the Transnistrian conflict, enabling us to reintegrate the region and to further strengthen Moldova. But what is the most important, a European Moldova will contribute to achieving the main objective of the European Union – to keep peace on the continent,” stated Maia Sandu.
She also said that a lot is to be done at home and many of the reforms asked by the EU are the changes asked by the citizens from the government. “And we will implement them. We do not ask for shortened roads and do not expect concessions. In these hard moments, the Republic of Moldova asks only for the chance to develop and to give hope to its citizens – hope that Moldova can be safer, more democratic and more peaceful; hope that the people can continue returning to a free and pro-European Moldova. They say that history repeats itself. The Republic of Moldova has always been a European piece of land caught in geopolitical struggles. We now bank on your assistance in bringing Moldova back into the big European family and on your support for the European perspective that will bring peace and stability in the region,” concluded Maia Sandu.
