The Republic of Moldova will only win if it profits maximally from the fact that Lithuania holds the presidency of the EU Council, considers political analyst Viorel Cibotaru. He stated for IPN that the period during which Lithuania will hold the presidency of the EU will be favorable for Moldova.
“The Baltic countries, especially Lithuania, as one of the supporters of the Eastern Partnership, were among the most faithful implementers of this program. Thus, this is a favorable period from which we must profit maximally. In general, Lithuania cannot influence much the decisions taken by most of the states, but can at least organize certain activities and can make Moldova’s aspirations more visible in the EU,” said Viorel Cibotaru.
The analyst believes that the Moldovan authorities will profit from this occasion as they are known in Lithuania and can connect themselves to the country’s energy and language.
Political commentator Olga Nicolenco has three expectations of the Lithuanian presidency of the EU for Moldova. “First of all, I expect that they will share their experience. Secondly, I hope for a more than moral support from Lithuania, and thirdly, I hope that this country will be able to involve other players so that the Transnistrian dispute is resolved,” she said.
Olga Nicolenco believes that the methods by which Lithuania overcame certain historical effects and made progress that cannot be compared with Moldova’s may be shared with the Moldovans.
Lithuania took over the presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1 and will hold it by the end of this year. Moldova expects that the Association Agreement with the EU, which includes the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, will be initialed at the Eastern Partnership Summit that will take place in Vilnius this November.
