There are good signs that by the end of this year Moldova will be able to start accession negotiations with the European Union, believes Dan Barna, vice president of the Save Romania Union (USR). According to the Romanian politician, Moldova’s European integration processes have been strongly accelerated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Dan Barna is optimistic about Moldova’s chances of starting accession negotiations by the end of this year. According to the European integration calendar, the European Commission will issue a report in October assessing Moldova’s progress in meeting nine pre-negotiation conditions. Depending on the findings, the Commission may recommend the launch of negotiations.
“The war in Ukraine opened a new line of political and accession opportunities for the Republic of Moldova. There’s no denying it, if it were not for this conflict on the borders of Moldova, it’s unlikely that the accession project would have taken any significant steps forward. Another line is this project for the accession of Moldova, which is supported not only by the USR, but by the entire political elite in Bucharest. And I hope – and I am even optimistic, I have also discussed this with colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – there are good signs that by the end of this year the formal invitation will actually materialize and negotiations will begin, which would be amazing”, said Dan Barna during a show on Vocea Basarabiei.
The politician went on to add that Romania is a good example of greater prosperity and higher living standards following accession to the European Union.
“Some 20-30 years ago Romania was exactly like Moldova today. I know that, just like in Romania, some Moldovans have nostalgic sentiments: ‘God, wasn’t it great during the communist rule? Everybody had a job, and the state would give you a house to live in’. But in reality, Romania’s GDP is now ten times higher than in that period. Things have improved greatly and significantly due to the fact that we are members of the European Union”, said the vice president of the Save Romania Union.
Dan Barna declared that the entire political elite in Bucharest supports Moldova’s accession to the European Union. The politician also expressed his hope that an eventual accession will include the Transnistrian region as well.
