“It is no secret that our ambition is to bring Moldova in the EU one day. The Eastern Partnership is an opportunity for us to strengthen and deepen our European choice and we are ready to work hard to go beyond the current framework,” President Maia Sandu stated in the sixth Eastern Partnership Summit that was held in Brussels on December 15, IPN reports.
She noted the Eastern Partnership has been a success for Moldova so far. “It has opened borders for our citizens, strengthened and reformed our economy, built trade routes, and induced changes beneficial for our people. Thanks to the Eastern Partnership our citizens travel visa-free, our youth benefit from EU scholarships, and our goods reach the EU market,” stated the official.
“The Eastern Partnership has been a success for Moldova and, I believe, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia’s desire to go further in the dialogue with the EU is a reflection of our readiness to integrate further. Sectoral integration will deepen our cooperation and make the region more resilient to internal and external challenges.
“Steps towards sectoral integration like reducing roaming prices with the EU, liberalizing access to the transport market, joining the Single Euro Payment Area or gradually integrating into the EU Internal Market will have a major positive impact on Moldova and its citizens.”
President Sandu said the Eastern Partnership benefited Moldovans even when Moldovan Governments did not share European values. “This year, Moldova went through a historic transformation. We had elections and, for the first time, people elected a truly pro-European government, which believes in EU values, and is committed to implementing reforms. Our citizens gave us a strong mandate to reform, develop and modernize Moldova, fight corruption and implement justice reform.
“Our people’s expectations are high, and the stakes are even higher. We are working hard on reforms in different sectors, such as justice, energy, security, police, infrastructure, environment and attracting investment, public finance, and public administration, among others. We want to build new roads, schools, hospitals, strengthen the business climate, attract investment, create new jobs, lift the country out of poverty and increase standards of living. Actions that also match the long-term policy objectives of the EU.”
Showing support for the Eastern Partnership joint declaration as a commitment to putting Moldova and the region on the road to recovery, reforms and resilience, Maia Sandu said: “As we are approaching the French Presidency in the Council, I would like to add here another “R” - Rapprochement. Rapprochement through deeper integration with the EU for those partners that are interested, ready and committed to go further. Our relationship is for the long-haul and we are ready to make it stronger and closer for the benefit of all.”
