Moldova should overcome a number of obstacles impeding UE integration, officials

While Moldova's objective to join the European Union one day is realistic, our country has to overcome a number of obstacles and challenges that could impede its achievement. This opinion was voiced at the EU-Moldova Forum in Berlin, and discussed on Monday in Chisinau at a Press Club meeting of the Foreign Policy Association, Info-Prim Neo reports. As FPA executive director Victor Chirila revealed, at the Forum, Štefan Fule, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, stated that the accession objective is realistic, but it is key that Moldova continues its reforms. The European official noted with approval the consistency and speed of the reforms implemented by the Moldovan authorities and called on the EU to be more ambitious in supporting Moldova, and not limit itself to just providing financial support, but also offer our country a clear membership perspective in the near future. Victor Chirila said the participants in the Forum stressed that Moldova needs to address a number of problems that could impede the achievement of the integration endeavor. Our economy should become more attractive and modern, creating a favorable climate for foreign investment and creating conditions for a sustainable economic growth; it should increase the level of production and exports to the EU. Also, Moldova should reform the judicial system, and special attention should be paid to fighting corruption. “Most participants in this Forum stressed that Moldova needs to more actively address this scourge that impedes the progress of reforms and stands in the way of a modern economy”. “Without tangible progress in combating corruption it will be difficult for us to demonstrate to the European Union member countries that Moldova deserves a liberalized visa regime within the next two years”, said Chirila. According to him, the Forum was an important event for the promotion of Moldova's image and of its European integration objectives, but also for its role to inform the European public opinion about the reforms that are being implemented in Moldova in partnership with the EU. The Moldova-EU Forum was held in Berlin on October 22 and 23.