There are big chances that Moldova will start negotiations on accession to the European Union at the end of June, said the executive director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) Iulian Groza. According to him, the member states are politically ready for the accession negotiations to start as soon as possible. In the same connection, the executive director of the Institute for Strategic Initiatives (IPIS) Vadim Pistrinciuc said that although the reforms in Moldova don’t have the speed wanted by the citizens, the country develops and deserves to start accession negotiations, IPN reports
According to the IPRE executive director, Moldova still has to fulfill two recommendations of the European Commission in the field of justice to start accession negotiations: the appointment of the prosecutor general and of judges to the Supreme Court of Justice.
“The chances are very high. There is political willingness within the member states for this decision to be taken at the European Council’s June meeting. The European Commission expects the Republic of Moldova to deliver continuous progress on the justice sector reform. There are still a few steps to be taken. It goes to the nomination of the prosecutor general and of judges to the Supreme Court of Justice, following the vetting exercise. These procedures are ongoing. It is important to have continuity and to achieve results towards June. Even the simple nomination of the candidate for the position of prosecutor general can be qualified as a result. The SCP is already examining the files of the four candidates who are taking part in the competition. The candidate selected by the SPC will go through the assessment of the vetting commission. It’s important to avoid any slippage,” Iulian Groza stated in the talk show “Resumé” on RliveTV.
Expert Vadim Pistrinciuc said that Hungary cannot be an obstacle for Moldova to start accession negotiations. The authorities in Budapest have a specific rhetoric in relation to Ukraine’s European aspirations, but they support Moldova’s European integration.
“In all the official communiqués of the meetings of foreign ministers with Hungarian counterparts, I have never seen Hungary opposing the Republic of Moldova’s accession. The problem for us doesn’t come from Brussels or Budapest. It comes from us. I’m as optimistic. We are a self-critical people, but if we compare things in a situation of war, regional crisis, logistical problems, malign informational influence, the Republic of Moldova goes forward. It has a course, builds something, reforms are done. Not as fast and cadenced as we would like, but there is peace. Of course, those from outside also know about corruption in our country, but a country and a society show their strength not only through the speed of reforms, but also through resistance,” said the executive director of the Institute for Strategic Initiatives.
On May 20-21, Prime Minister Dorin Recean led the national delegation to the 8th meeting of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council held in Brussels. During talks with European officials, the Moldovan official reaffirmed the country’s commitment to implementing reforms related to the European agenda. Dorin Recean said that the Moldovan authorities aim to start negotiations for accession to the European Union at the end of June.
