Republic of Moldova has achieved the highest rate of reform implementation among all European Union candidate states, and the first political signals regarding the opening of accession negotiations could appear in the coming weeks. Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov made the statements, according to IPN.
According to the official, the mobilization of state institutions and the results achieved at the technical level provide reasons for optimism regarding Moldova’s European path.
“We are the country with the highest rate of reform implementation among all candidate states. We have completed 93% of the reform agenda in the context of the Economic Growth Plan. This means that institutions have mobilized, institutions are working and delivering. This technical work encourages political progress, and we should see signals in the coming weeks,” Cristina Gherasimov said during the “Cabinetul din Umbră” program on Jurnal TV.
The official also explained that political developments in Hungary could help unblock the negotiation process for Ukraine, an issue that also affects Moldova’s European integration process.
“We saw the election results in Hungary. We have received the first signals that the situation for Ukraine could be unblocked. We are waiting for the first meeting between Hungary’s prime minister and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to understand the conditions for Ukraine to open the first chapter regarding fundamental values,” Cristina Gherasimov stated.
The deputy prime minister added that Moldova and Ukraine are expected to open the first negotiation cluster simultaneously, although each candidate country will follow its own path depending on the reforms it implements.
“It is natural for the first cluster to open for both countries at the same time. But, as we have been told every time, each candidate state will follow an individual path afterward because the reforms we are implementing differ from those Ukraine will have to implement,” Cristina Gherasimov added.