Latvia’s experience shows that a country of the former Soviet bloc can become a fully-fledged EU member state and the citizens will enjoy all the advantages of the European integration, said Latvia’s Ambassador in Chisinau Uldis Mikuts. According to the diplomat, the Gross Domestic Product of Latvia rose by over 30% during the first years of the entry into the EU and the Republic of Moldova has all the chances of achieving similar results if it implements the provisions of the Association Agreement. The diplomat voiced hope that the citizens in the elections of July 11 will choose the path of real, not mimicked reforms, IPN reports.
Ambassador Uldis Mikuts said Latvia’s chance of integrating into the big European family in 2004 was based both on political will and on the people’s wish for European integration. In the referendum of 2003 on entry into the EU, 67% of the Latvians pleaded in favor of the European integration, the turnout being of 72%. The wish for change has been witnessed among Moldovan society too.
“By the vote in the presidential elections, the people said that they want the political course to be changed and want reforms to be implemented. This was a very clear message as the victory of Maia Sandu was convincing. The elections of July 11 will show again the people’s will. We hope the path of reforms will be followed again as, based on Latvia’s experience, we assure you that these reforms are for the people’s benefit,” Uldis Mikuts stated in the talk show “Emphasis on Today” on TVR Moldova.
At the same time, the diplomat expressed his bewilderment at some of the Moldovan politicians’ statements concerning interference in the internal affairs of the country on the part of European diplomats.
“We just try to underline the correct objectives needed to achieve a correct goal, but what happens in reality depends on the decisions of politicians. The Republic of Moldova is an independent and sovereign state, with politicians elected at democratic elections. We only speak about the necessity of the reforms we consider important for the good quality of people’s lives,” said Uldis Mikuts.
Latvia joined the EU in 2004. As the other Baltic counties, Latvia constantly supported the European course of the Republic of Moldova. Over 90 projects to the value of €1 million provided by Latvia in assistance have been implemented in Moldova during the past 15 years.
