Moldova should not abandon European integration idea, APE director

The Republic of Moldova should not give up the plans to become politically and economically integrated with the European Union even if the Union now faces internal problems and the enlargement to the East is delayed for many years, considers the executive director of the Foreign Policy Association Victor Chirila, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The EU is preoccupied with its internal problems. I think the extension to the East will be delayed for many years and this should make our politicians reassess their policy towards the EU for the next 15 years. But this does not mean abandoning the objectives of becoming politically and economically integrated with the EU,” said the foreign policy expert. He also said that the European integration principles must be promoted and explained, especially because there appear opposing groups. The pro-European parties must take the opportunities and explain by dialogue and debates that the European integration idea is the only one that can make this state viable and is the essence of success. Victor Chirila does not share Speaker Marian Lupu’s opinion that the obtaining of a liberalized visa regime with the EU in the short term is an illusion. “During the last few years, Moldova got commercial privileges and has a special trade regime with the EU. The Free Trade Agreement is being negotiated. The liberalization of the visa regime is not an easy process as systemic changes are needed, but the countries that fulfill the required conditions obtain what they aspire to. I don’t know why Marian Lupu made such statements,” said the APE executive director. Victor Chirila stressed that the road to entry into the EU is long. Among the priorities now are the political association and economic integration and the obstacles met here are evident as the laws that must be adopted for obtaining a liberalized visa regime are interpreted differently. The authorities should find a compromise and unity among the political class and society.