PNL president: Union with Romania is the only way for Moldova's accelerated integration into the EU

Moldova will not have chances to join the European Union during the next 20 years if it does not unite with Romania, the president of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Vitalia Pavlicenco said in a news conference on April 21, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the leader of the PNL, the consequences of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the years of reactionary government and the fact that the last legislative elections did not ensure political stability postpone Moldova's entry into the EU for an indefinite period. “The union with Romania is the only way for Moldova's accelerated integration into the EU and the PNL is ready to assume responsibility for starting this process. The people should have the possibility of pronouncing on the issue at a referendum,” Vitalia Pavlicenco said. She also said that Moldova will make progress on the path to European integration only if it is helped by Romania. The new opportunities that appeared after July 29, 2009, such as the improvement of the relations with Romania, the signing of the Convention on Small-Scale Border Traffic and the pro-European views of the young people make the creation of this union possible. Neither Gagauzia nor Transnistria will be able to hinder this process, Vitalia Pavlicenco said. “The residents of Transnistria will be attracted by the living conditions on the right bank of the Nistru and will also want to join Romania and become part of the EU. The Gagauz people are victims of the rusification. We will explain the advantages of the union with Romania to everyone and we think we will enjoy the population's support.” The PNL will take part in the early elections and will disseminate the message about the union with Romania among the voters. “The opinions expressed online and the applications for regaining Romanian nationality show that the largest part of the population consider that Moldova can join the EU only with the help of Romania,” the PNL leader said. Speaking about the accusations that she intimidates and exerts pressure on the young people who want to get involved in politics, which were made by the member of the initiative group of the Movement “Democratia Acasa” Vasile Costiuc, Vitalia Pavlicenco said she did not resort to pressure and intimidation during the phone conversation. “Vasile Costiuc wants to find his place in politics, but does it by attacking and intimidating the political leaders,” she said.