The Republic of Moldova is not a priority for the EU. This is a small, non-conflicting country that remains peaceful even if a conflict exists on its territory. Moldova can expect to be offered particular support by the EU under the neighborhood policy only if discussions are initiated with society to see what objectives Moldova wants to achieve and if these objectives coincide with the EU’s values, ex-director of the European Academy Berlin Eckart Stratenschulte, professor at the Free University of Berlin, said in the public debate “Germany’s Presidency of Council of EU: impact on Europe, impact on Moldova”, which was staged by IPN News Agency.
According to the professor, there has been serious disappointment with the developments in Chisinau during the last few years. “The governments were corrupt even if they spoke about the European course. Justice wasn’t ensured. The disappointment was very profound. That’s why society in Moldova should compensate for this discrepancy. In such conditions, Moldova cannot impose conditions. It can only organize discussions and set objectives. A country cannot be democratized from outside. The EU can only support the development of the nation that cannot be subject to pressure from outside,” stated Eckart Stratenschulte.
“The European Union is a consequence of the two world wars. It is not based on love, affection. It derived from uncertainty and hatred. But its example showed that it is possible to work together to overcome the difficulties and to guarantee peace. There is an important element in the EU – supranationality, which makes it different from other international institutions. Any country can apply to become a member of the EU. As a result, the citizens can enjoy numerous advantages related to living, work, economic advantages, but particular tasks should be carried out for the purpose,” stated the German professor.
In another development, Eckart Stratenschulte said Germany learned the lesson during a very short period of time. “During the pandemic, Germany had the impulse not to offer other countries supplies of products, medical equipment and to keep them for the own people. But changes to the approach occurred in a short period as one cannot take care only of the national interests inside the EU and the principle of solidarity counts a lot,” he stated
Also, not long ago Germany opposed the creation of a recovery fund for the coronavirus crisis and was against having a common debt and paying money for others. “But later, Germany, together with France, proposed contributing by €500 billion to be used as subsidies, not as loans. This is a radical change in Germany’s view. Germany realizes the gravity of the situation in the EU and there is a chance that the EU will get out of this pandemic crisis more powerful or could disappear as a conception. The change in view depends not on Germany’s Presidency of the EU Council, but on solidarity.”
The debate “Germany’s Presidency of Council of EU: impact on Europe, impact on Moldova” was the 142nd installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
