The ongoing war in Ukraine is the biggest challenge for Moldova’s integration into the EU, said Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu. According to him, the consequences of the Russian military aggression are felt in all the European states through the continuing increases in energy prices. The Republic of Moldova is not an exception. The Moldovan authorities anticipated the European Council’s decision and already started to draft an internal plan for implementing the reforms suggested by the European Commission, IPN reports.
The Moldovan minister of foreign affairs and European integration noted that the authorities started to work out strategies for implementing the recommendations that came from the European Commission. Among the conditions imposed by the EU on Moldova together with the granting of the candidate status are the justice sector reform, the fight against corruption, the central administration reform, improvement of public procurement, gradual improvement of transparency by engaging civil society in the decision-making process.
“Together with the joy, very big responsibility came as we must use this historic opportunity to take several major steps to bring the country into the European Union. Anticipating the European Council’s decision, last Tuesday we stated to work on an internal plan for implementing the recommendations of the European Commission. We how have consultations with institutions responsible for the implementation of these recommendations. So, work didn’t stop for at least half a day. We are optimistic, but it won’t be at all easy. A lot of work is to be done. The regional context remains very problematic, but we must take this chance,” Nicu Popescu stated in the talk show “In Depth” on ProTV Chisinau channel.
The official reacted to the former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s assertion that Moldova was granted the EU candidate status because the goal is to restore Greater Romania. He said that Chisinau classes Medvedev’s statements as speculations and considers the signals coming from Russia do not match the spirit of correct relations.
“We announced that the European integration is the will of our society. For us, the relationship with Romania is special. Romania is the first country that recognized our independence and sovereignty and helps us on our European path. We have historic ties, a common language. These are the parameters of our relationship with Romania and any speculations here are out of place,” stated Nicu Popescu.
He noted that the uncertainty caused by the Ukraine war will be the most serious challenge on Moldova’s path of European integration the next moths or even years. The war affects the absolute security of all the states on the continent, including Moldova. The war impacts the economy, the prices of energy products, generating the biggest risks to the whole European continent.
