European officials optimistic that Moldova-Romania relationship will warm up

European integration is the best solution to improve the relations between Chisinau and Bucharest, stated Zygimantas Pavilionis, Undersecretary of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the opening ceremony of the Moldo-Lithuanian Foundation “Centre for European Integration Studies” in Chisinau on November 28. With Moldova advancing on the path to European integration, it will be impossible for the two countries not to become closer. Europe is the one that will influence these relations. And it’s not just about Moldova being requested to show more openness to its neighbour, but also Romania, which will have to implement decisions that will come from us (from the European Union – editor’s note), the Lithuanian official said. According to Zygimantas Pavilionis, in 92-93 Lithuania was also sceptical about its future relations with Poland. “Judging by the experience of Poland and Lithuania, I truly believe that the relations between Chisinau and Bucharest will considerably warm up. For us, the prospect was the Euro-Atlantic integration. For Moldova, it is the European integration”, the Lithuanian diplomat concluded. Krzysztof Suprowicz, Poland’s Ambassador to Moldova, voiced scepticism that the Lithuanian-Polish experience would be a viable model in the case of Moldova and Romania, arguing that the differences between the two countries are more and more perceived. At the same time, Krzysztof Suprowicz stated that the UE, which invested so much in a small country like Moldova, has to take the next step. It is hard to name any other country in the region that has accomplished so many things. Moldova has opened a representative office for the EU and a joint visa issuance centre for the Moldovan citizens, has ratified the visa facilitation agreement, etc. “I believe that Moldova deserves a separate integration path, which would be similar to the one for the Western Balkans, yet separate. Moldova shouldn’t be incorporated in an enlargement wave with other countries, but treated individually”, Krzysztof Suprowicz said. The Moldo-Lithuanian Foundation “Centre for European Integration Studies” aims to contribute to strengthening ties between Moldova and Lithuania at all levels. According to the results of a survey cited at the opening ceremony, 80% of Moldovans are for a stronger cooperation with Lithuania, while 60% called Lithuania a friend of Moldova.