The executive director of the NATO Information and Documentation Center (IDC) Ion Tăbârță believes that the constitutional referendum of October 20 can be a starting point now that the negotiations with the European Union were opened. And a cohesive “YES” from society is needed for the European course to become a project for the country’s development. Moldovan society must understand that obtaining the EU membership is a historic opportunity and if this is missed, the consequences will be felt in the long run. The statements were made in IPN’s public debate “Accession to the EU: Road to Security and Prosperity for the Republic of Moldova”.
The director of the NATO IDC considers that the main challenges associated with this referendum refer to the widespread disinformation and hence the risk of a low voter turnout. “There are forces, especially from outside the country, which are interested in the failure of this referendum. One of the narratives promoted by the Russian Federation is that the majority of the population of the Republic of Moldova does not want European integration. On the contrary, they want to preserve the traditional ties with Russia, and Moldova’s European path is imposed by the current government. Russia also promotes this narrative through direct propaganda, but also through domestic players,” said Ion Tăbârță.
According to him, it is important to understand that if the referendum is successful, this does not mean that the Republic of Moldova will immediately become a member of the European Union because reforms are needed, including modernization of state institutions. Only afterward, we will be able to talk about the fulfillment of particular conditions and about the fact that we are ready to join.
“The need for this referendum stems from the fact that so far there has not been a country project. At the beginning of the negotiations, there is a need for a cohesive “YES” from society that the European course is a country development program. It can be said to be a starting point from the past in which the Russian Federation is trying to keep us. The time has come when we can and must move forward. And this referendum, if it is successful, can be that starting point for real European changes in the Republic of Moldova,” said the NATO IDC director.
“If you ask people what they think about the European Union, objectively, they will not be able to mention disadvantages. On the contrary, they will mention the better standard of living, quality roads, the rule of law. Maybe, in some cases, they would refer to the scarecrows about sexual minorities in Russian narratives,” said Ion Tăbârță.
As for the players who promote the maintenance of relations with both the East and the West, Ion Tăbârță said that this desire “to sit on two chairs” generated only particular advantages for them. “A clear development project is needed and the European Union is a verified model in this regard,” stated the director of the NATO IDC. “It is a historic opportunity that, if it is lost, it is not clear when it can appear again.”
On October 20, Moldova holds a presidential election and a constitutional referendum in which the citizens will give a “YES” or “NO” answer to the question: “Are you for amending the Constitution in order to enshrine the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Union in it?”. There is no second round for the referendum.
The debate was organized by IPN News Agency within the project “A fair and informed vote for a European Moldova”, funded by the European Union and the German Marshall Fund.
