The Republic of Moldova finished filling out the first questionnaire provided after the country submitted the application for EU membership. The document was handed over by Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița to the EU Ambassador in Chisinau Janis Mazeiks, who will pass it on to the European Commission. According to the Premier, this is the first part of the questionnaire, while the second part will be completed by mid-May, IPN reports.
The event involved President Maia Sandu, who said that she today convened a meeting to constitute the Commission on European Integration that will involve representatives of a number of authorities and will focus on the process of preparing the accession to the EU. The official noted she was glad to hear that the Government’s representatives completed the first part of the questionnaire that was received 11 days ago.
“The integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Union is our country project. It is the project of this generation. It is the light at the end of the tunnel that we all need and for this we need to work, to contribute to this effort of the whole society. We bank on everyone’s contribution. The European Union is first of all a peace, well-being, democracy and prosperity project. The Republic of Moldova is a small and vulnerable country. The Republic of Moldova will be safe in the family of the European Union. In this family, we can offer our citizens increased safety, consolidated democracy, economic opportunities and welfare. We know where we start from and what we have to do,” said President Sandu.
Premier Natalia Gavrilița said that this is a step towards the European future of the Republic of Moldova, a future that the Moldovan citizens always wanted. The country is ready to go further so as to bring Europe at home. This does not mean only tangible benefits, such as infrastructure, roads, water and sewerage systems, but also European values first of all, such as authentic democracy, fair justice, rights and freedoms, the citizens’ confidence in the state and its institutions.
Ambassador Janis Mazeiks said that 11 days ago Moldova received the first part of the questionnaire that is very substantial and responses to the questions from this were already provided. This speed shows very clearly the determination of the President, the Government and all the people of Moldova to bring the country into the European family. The answers from the first part of the questionnaire and from the second part are necessary for formulating the Commission’s opinion based on the accession criteria, as the European Council requires.
On March 3, President Maia Sandu, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița signed Moldova’s application for EU membership. Earlier, on February 28, Ukraine signed a similar application under the pressure of the Russian invasion. An application was also submitted by the Prime Minister of Georgia.
