The Republic of Moldova should continue reforms so that it becomes attractive for the eventual accession to the EU, said Dionis Cenușa, a political scientist, researcher at the Institute of Political Science at Justus Liebig University in Giessen. “The sustainability of reforms is what will help the Republic of Moldova “sell” the European perspective as something achievable at home, for the population, and also outside the country. But we should not forget that there is a very clear preference to separate Ukraine from Moldova and Georgia in the European integration process,” the expert stated in a public debate hosted by IPN News Agency.
As to the EU’s attitude to the Associated Trio (Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine), the political scientist said the EU’s relationship with the three countries depends on the geopolitical situation in the case of Ukraine and on the political situation in the case of Moldova and Georgia.
“The Republic of Moldova, unlike Georgia, is more credible in Brussels. The same refers to the bilateral relations Chisinau has with important states of the European Union. In the discussions I had with European diplomas from EU states, I realized that there are separate clubs of friends of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia indeed. As we know, the Republic of Moldova is supported by Romania, together with Germany and France, which are joined by other states. Besides the different interest of the EU member states in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, there are also intense relations that differ from country to country in the EU. Even if the EU offers a lot of political, inclining financial assistance, to arm the Ukrainian army, Brussels also finds time and particular resources to also support the Republic of Moldova in the management of particular crises experienced since the war broke out and also crises that started last year, including the energy one. So, the European Union is like a firefighter that helps who it can, but Ukraine is yet the top priority,” said Dionis Cenușa.
In another development, the researcher said that Moldova is in the middle of the EU’s attention and support rankings owing to the very good political and diplomatic relations of the official Chisinau with Brussels and with many important states of the EU. In the recent past, Moldova has been supported by the EU less than Ukraine and more than Georgia.
Dionis Cenușa noted that after the EU decided to allocate financing assistance for purchasing military equipment for the Ukrainian army, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia accused it of having turned into an economic department NATO or into an organization very close to NATO.
“Russia starts to change its view and attitude to the European Union, perceiving it not only as a political and economic bloc, but also as a military bloc and this can influence the way in which Russia perceives the European integration of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. Respectively, Russia will have reservations as to the European integration of the three states. But nobody should take into account the preference and motivation of Russia. The Republic of Moldova and the other two countries have a very clear agenda aimed at achieving the country development objective that, in the European context, is also inside the European Union. We should take into account the risks that can derive from Russia’s change of attitude to the EU and should also focus on our homework and continue to do reforms so that the Republic of Moldova becomes really attractive for an eventual accession to the EU,” he stated.
In particular, Dionis Cenușa mentioned the consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian war, noting that these will have an immediate effect on Ukraine. If the results of the war are fully detrimental to Ukraine, they can discourage particular political voices inside the EU and this will mostly affect Ukraine’s European course. Moldova and Georgia can obtain an advantage as the EU member states have a known opinion about the separatist regions that are occupied directly or indirectly or are recognized as independent by the Russian Federation and it will be easier for Moldova and Georgia to find supporters for their European perspectives than for Ukraine.
“Sociological polls show the population’s attitude to the European integration is favorable in all the three states. Even in the Republic of Moldova, where the voters are polarized, during the last few years we have had a solid and constant majority in favor of the entry into the EU,” said Dionis Cenușa UE, noting the reforms and institutions are the major points on which energy should be concentrated.
The public debate entitled “Associated Trio in new conditions: together and on their own” was the 240th installment of IPN’s project “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
