After Moldova signs the Association Agreement with the EU, those who will come to power after the next legislative elections, regardless of their orientation, will have to comply with the accord’s provisions, executive director of the Foreign Policy Association (APE), expert Victor Chirila said in the public debate “Stake of the Vilnius Summit as perceived by the Moldovan political class and society” that was organized by IPN.
“I think that the Eastern Partnership is an opportunity that opened many ways to Moldova. When we initial this agreement, we will start the signing procedures and it will become something inevitable. The Association Agreement is not an electoral parcel and it doesn’t put something in the pocket. It creates a cooperation, association framework that offers for the first time the possibility of integrating economically into the European market,” stated Victor Chirila.
He underlined that it wouldn’t be easy. “The Association Agreement, by the creation of the Free Trade Area, offers opportunities, but the competition will be stiff. The inefficient companies that do not invest in people and equipment will face problems. I consider there are many companies that use this economic ghetto that trapped Moldova in order to enrich themselves,” said the APE executive director.
The expert believes that the political association offers a degree of solidarity in front of external pressure. “It will also create a new political mentality and will impose a new way of thinking. If Moldova signs the agreement, those who will come to power will have to accept this fact,” he said.
He also said that the Association Agreement also offers new instruments for solving the Transnistrian conflict. “I don’t agree we should wait so that we can settle the dispute by ourselves. The coming closer to the EU offers the Transnistrian companies new possibilities. A lot of people are dissatisfied with the situation in this region,” stated Victor Chirila.
He added that the exports to the EU this year are larger than to other states and the coming closer to the EU will lead to the development of Moldova’s industry, where most of the jobs are created.
The public debate “Stake of the Vilnius Summit as perceived by the Moldovan political class and society” is the 22nd of the series of debates “Development of political culture by public debates” that are staged with support from the German Foundation “Hanns Seidel”.
