The idea of European integration of Moldova is a subject of confrontation between real arguments and complex propaganda that seems organized sometimes, the deputy chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM) Vadim Pistrinciuc said in an interview with IPN titled “There are four million arguments why free movement in Europe is of historical importance”.
According to him, it’s not a debate of arguments, but rather the comparison of clear arguments, of a visible reality with propaganda. “Not propaganda of any kind, but a complex and prudent one that seems organized in parts. Unfortunately, many of the media outlets forgot what information is. The first propagandistic manipulation in this respect is the fact that the rapprochement with the EU is against somebody. This is wrong. The integration into the EU is a process of modernization and transformation of the country and is not aimed against the relations with the East or with certain countries. We are obliged to explain these things to the people by going from home to home, not only from filming studios and meeting halls. That’s why, on the initiative of the leader of the PLDM Vlad Filat, the party and many pubic figures are carrying out a wide campaign to inform the people in Moldova’s villages and towns,” said Vadim Pistrinciuc.
He added that the pro-EU arguments are clear. The association with the EU will have a positive effect on the economy and will generate a growth of 3.2%- 5.4% a year. The new commitment will create preconditions for the appearance of more well-paid jobs; will increase our trade with the EU by 15-16% and will make Moldova more attractive for foreign investors. The EU market is almost ten times larger than that of the Customs Union – over 500 million people, with a GDP of US$17.6 trillion in 2011. Owing to competition, the prices for consumers will decrease by between 2% for drugs and 10% for food products. The GDP will grow by about 6-7%, while the population’s consumption – by 7-8%.
On the other hand, Vadim Pistrinciuc gave the example of Kazakhstan, where the average import taxes almost doubled – from 5.3% to 9.5% - after the country joined the Customs Union, according to the World Bank. “Such a situation is convenient for Russia as it protects its producers and exports its machines. These are only several arguments. For Moldova, the integration into the European Union does not have an alternative. The fact that we want to be closer to the EU does not mean that we want bad relations with Russia or other countries. Moldova’s National Project – the European Integration – means better roads, education of a high quality, a modern health system, jobs, developed businesses, high salaries and pensions,” he stated for IPN.
