Moldovan Ambassador to Romania Iurie Renita says the process of European integration in Moldova has started through modernization. “Naturally when you aspire to enter Europe you need to do your homework well. The modernization process has started in a concrete manner, and the next stage is the Europeanization of the Republic of Moldova”, Iurie Renita has told the Romanian agency Agerpres. The ambassador says that with the installation of the Alliance for European Integration into government, reform toward modernization has been promoted in the country on multiple levels. “I can assure you that both the people and the current government are well aware that Europe will not accept us with our homework not properly done”, said Iurie Renita. The ambassador has added that it is crucial for Moldova to learn from Romania's experience in matters of integration, and diplomacy should play a greater role in Moldova's European integration. “An unprecedented event has occurred recently in the Moldovan diplomatic history – the ambassadorial corps has been upgraded to a professional level. It is for the first time that the ambassadors are people with a diplomatic background”, said Renita. Commenting on recent articles that appeared in the British, German and Italian press criticizing Romania for granting citizenship to a great number of Moldovans and thus letting them into the EU “through the backdoor”, Renitsa suggested those who report on such issues should have more documentation and clarity about the Moldovan realities. “In Moldova, people have an extraordinary desire for European integration. We are speaking about some 80-85% of Moldova's population. So I don't think this is the right approach in treating us. There is a strong desire and a will of the people, and I don't think there could be something in our people that would be contrary to or would somehow compromise certain European values”, said Renita, adding that “Moldova is an European country par excellence”.