Moldova can become a member of the European Union, but should first change itself from economic, political and social viewpoints. It has big chances and the historical right to be part of the EU, Lithuanian MEP Petras Auštrevičius said in an interview for Radio Free Europe. The MEP is responsible for a pilot-program covering Moldova, alongside another five states, which is aimed at strengthening the parliamentary bodies and at developing mechanisms for more rigorously monitoring the MPs and their work, IPN reports.
”I visited Moldova last weekend to present this program that includes six countries from different parts of the world, from three continents. Moldova and Ukraine are the only European countries. There are also Myanmar, Tanzania, Tunisia and Morocco with which the European Parliament wants to develop a program to support parliamentarianism. It is for the first time that the European Parliament has such programs designed to help institute better parliamentary bodies, better administration and stricter control. Moldova was selected and I hope it will profit from this opportunity as much as possible,” said Petras Auštrevičius. He noted that Moldova was chosen for this program because it has a common border with the EU through Romania, achieved the best results among the Eastern partners and ranks first by all the indicators regarding the rapprochement with the EU and the reforms done in this direction.
Asked if Moldova means also the Transnistrian region and Gagauzia and if this program will be implemented there too, the MEP said he visited Gagauzia and encouraged both of the sides – Chisinau and Comrat – to implement the law on self-government. “Moldova’s Parliament should agree practical matters from this law with the legislative body of Gagauzia. If the Government of Moldova considers it is better to leave things in Gagauzia as they are, they are wrong. Gagauzia should be supported both politically and financially by Chisinau,” he stated.
As regards the situation in the Transnistrian region, Petras Auštrevičius said it is rather unfavorable amid the aggressions in Ukraine. “I support Ukraine and Moldova in all their efforts to secure their borders and to keep the activity there under control. You never know what can happen. The traffic over the border can mean goods, tourists, but also arms and military men. In fact, border security is a matter of national safety. The dialogue with Transnistria should be continued in the 5 plus 2 format,” said the MEP.
Petras Auštrevičius also said that patience, open-mindedness and openness to negotiation are needed even if this may seem hard sometimes. It is in the interest of Moldova and its people to go on. The liberalized visa regime benefits those from Transnistria too and is a very powerful instrument that builds bridges between the two sides of the Nistru and between these and the EU too. “The reforms must be continued so as to improve the economic situation and these elements can turn out to be very important in the 5 plus 2 talks. If Moldova achieves results on its path to the EU, the Transnistrians will receive a very clear message: we do not have a future if we remain isolated. We must negotiate our status within Moldova and having a united Moldova is our only chance,” stated the MEP
