The first Intergovernmental Conference on the negotiation of Moldova’s accession to the European Union took place in Luxembourg on the evening of June 25, marking the beginning of this process, IPN reports.
The event involved a delegation of the Republic of Moldova, led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean, which included, in particular, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi and Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gerasimov, who is responsible for the European integration sector.
The meeting was chaired by Hadja Labhib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. She was assisted by Oliver Varhelyi, Commissioner for Neighborliness and Enlargement.
At the press conference that followed, the EU speakers noted that the negotiations are aimed at ensuring that Moldova assimilates the EU rules and fully implements them. First and foremost, it goes to reforms in the areas of rule of law and fundamental human rights, strengthening of democratic institutions and public administration reform, as well as to economic criteria.
Particular attention should be paid to the justice sector reform, the fight against corruption. To ensure that progress in these and other negotiated areas is irreversible and that the rules are fully and effectively implemented, the process will be closely monitored by the European Commission, which will report regularly to the European Council. The duration of the negotiations, as Hadja Lahbib and Oliver Varhelyi noted, will depend on the progress made in implementing the agreed reforms.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean addressed a part of his speech to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, who are not only at home, but also in “tens of thousands of localities of the world”, and speak Romanian, which is “an official language of the European Union”.
He stressed that “today we have entered a new stage, which brings us significantly closer to joining the European Union. The negotiations we have started are a technical and complex process and aim to coordinate the policies of the Republic of Moldova and the EU to improve the standard of living of our citizens. Each closed negotiation chapter will mean visible results for the people, fair and predictable laws, efficient institutions, high-quality public service. We have been waiting for this moment for more than 30 years. We all have the duty to capitalize on it and leave to our children a peaceful Moldova, where the people live in good understanding and live a fulfilling life. In autumn, the will of the people will confirm this future of ours, a future in the great European family in which we will become a strong, independent country, where peace and prosperity are guaranteed,” stated Premier Recean.
The start of EU accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine was welcomed by the President of the European Council Charles Michel. Like the participants in the conference, he said that this event is a historic moment. “Both countries have demonstrated an impressive commitment to reform and alignment with European values,” stated the European official. Referring to the Republic of Moldova, he stressed that our country has faced significant challenges, including economic pressures and political intimidation, yet has remained steadfast in its pursuit of ever closer ties with the EU.
IPN notes that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola congratulated Moldova and Ukraine on opening the first round of accession negotiations.
For her part, the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu addressed a message of gratitude to the European leaders for the support provided to our country.
