Moldova is in an unprecedented period when it must cope with internal and external challenges, with the skepticism of a part of society about the integration into the EU being one of the challenges. Besides this skepticism inside the country, there is also the skepticism of the EU member states about the rapprochement with Moldova, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said in the forum “Future of Europe” that was staged in Chisinau by the European People’s Party with the support of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Wilfried Martens Center for European Studies, IPN reports.
Iurie Leanca stated that exactly five years ago, there was elected the first post-Communist government headed by the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Vlad Filat. The foundations for reforming and developing the country were laid namely then. In this year’s November 30 elections, Moldovan society must show maturity as, depending on the election outcome, the country would be transformed into a powerful state, or the problems existing for many years would be perpetuated.
According to the Premier, besides the external challenges, like the crisis in Ukraine, Moldova also faces such internal challenges as the problems related to corruption, low demography, the outdated mentality, migration and others. But the basis laid now for building European society in Moldova is stronger than five years ago.
Iurie Leanca informed that even if trade with the East decreased by 25% during half a year, the country’s total trade rose by over 3% in the period. In 2009, the European capitals didn’t even mention the possibility of Moldova coming closer to the EU. Now the European officials say that the signing and ratification of the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU is not the ultimate point.
The Premier is convinced that if the started reforms are accelerated, Moldova will be able to achieve the objective of being recognized as a candidate for accession to the EU in the second half of 2015. He is also sure that the country cannot have a bright future if it does not follow the path to the EU. Corruption will not be rooted out, the young people will continue to migrate and the demographic indices will further decline.
Iurie Leanca said the Moldovans’ skepticism about the EU can be overcome by constituting a new responsible political class. Over the next fewer weeks, the authorities must show responsibility and explain the importance of the initiated reforms to the people, first of all to the undecided ones.
The forum “Future of Europe” was open to the media only during the welcoming speeches. The event will continue until September 28.
