The ratification of the Association Agreement between Moldova and the European Union is one more step towards closer relations between this young democracy and the EU, which share much more than a border, said President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Henri Malosse, who delivered a message to all the citizens of Moldova, IPN reports.

In his message, the European officials says that the move represents genuine commitment to common values, more than just the actual introduction of political, economic and institutional reforms. Europe is above all a common venture shared by people, not by governments. It is a potential future, which must go to strengthen the cohesion and unity of applicant countries. To succeed in this, the process of moving closer together needs to involve the public at every stage. 

Henri Malosse called for Moldovan civil society to be fully involved in the process of moving closer to the EU. “This entails civil society being informed and consulted at each step taken. And it is with this approach in mind that the European Economic and Social Committee, of which I am president, is standing alongside the socio-economic players in Moldova, to support them in such active involvement,” he stated.

“This is the only way possible to ensure that Europe is a venture which brings people together rather than dividing them, as illustrated dramatically in the Ukraine over the last few months. To succeed, dialogue needs to involve other countries in the region, including Russia, because a choice should not have to be made between Brussels and Moscow.”

The European official added that it is up to the people of Moldova to choose to take the outstretched hand offered by the European Union.