At the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit of November 29, 2013, Moldova will enter a new stage of relations with the European Union. What will it bring and how will it influence the life of the Moldovans from the country and from abroad? What will each of us gain and what should we do for this benefit to become possible? How will the new conditions affect Moldova’s relations with other countries? The IPN Agency aims to look for answers to these and other questions worrying society, together with you, within the series of articles “Association with the EU to everyone’s understanding”.
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The bad state in which Moldova found itself is a solid argument in favor of the fact that the Moldovans must finally make a clear choice. The Association Agreement with the EU is a choice that will bring Moldova into the European area of norms and values. Technically speaking, the Association Agreement with the EU is a roadmap for Moldova’s modernization, said experts in foreign relations Lina Grau and Leonid Litra.
Lina Grau said it is evident that the dictatorial model based on political and economic blackmail imposed by Russia cannot ensure the free and prosperous development of Moldova. It is as evident that Europe offers a much more attractive development model. “We like to travel to Europe. We like to see clean and orderly cities. We are attracted by the salaries and work conditions in Europe and admire the pensioners in the European countries who afford not only to live decently, but also to travel,” said the expert of the Foreign Policy Association.
This model of development can be implemented by Moldova by adjusting the national legislation and practices to the European model, said Lina Grau. The Association Agreement with the EU defines the steps that must be taken in every area of activity to meet the European norms. Among the advantages of the association with the EU is the rise in investments and the extension of the export markets, which will lead to enhanced welfare. The European project, including the liberalization of the visa regime, will bring new arguments for settling the Transnistrian conflict and will make the right bank of the Nistru River more attractive for the people from Transnistria, considers the expert.
The Association Agreement does not yet mean the automatic entry of Moldova into the EU. It may take years until Chisinau is ready to make the next step in the relations with the EU and becomes an associate member or even an accession candidate. The length of the negotiations held after the country become eligible for joining the EU is different from state to state. It depends on their preparedness degree. For example, Austria and Finland needed 16 months, while Portugal 80 months, stated Lina Grau.
Leonid Litra, senior researcher at the Kiev Institute of World Policy, said the Association Agreement with the EU is an economic recovery plan and a social balance in all aspects. “But the Association Agreement also provides a plan for cardinally reforming the state institutions, Moldova’s economy and the living standards of people,” he added.
The human rights, access to independent and impartial justice, economic competition, products of a high quality, free movement, education and innovation are the areas where everyone will be able to feel the changes brought about by the agreement. This means that Moldova will have to overcome great difficulties and to make considerable effort in order to build Europe at home.
However, we will not be left alone in front of the difficulties of transition and post-Soviet reminiscences, said Leonid Litra. The EU will provide considerable financial support to Moldova for implementing the reforms described in the Association Agreement and it already offers financial support for fulfilling the preconditions of the accord.
Mariana Galben, IPN
