The European Commission adopted the 2023 enlargement package on Wednesday, recommending the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.
Additionally, the Commission recommends granting candidate status to Georgia.
“Considering the results achieved by Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the ongoing reform efforts, the Commission has recommended to the Council to initiate accession negotiations with both countries. Furthermore, the Commission recommends that the Council adopt the negotiation frameworks after Ukraine and Moldova take certain key measures,” according to a statement from the European Commission.
Moldova has continued its reform efforts to “strengthen democracy and the rule of law, despite the multiple challenges related to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” the EC specifies, highlighting progress in electoral legislation and the implementation of recommendations made by the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission in their opinions issued in December 2021 and October 2022.
MUREŞAN: THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA LIES IN THE EU
“Today’s opinion of the European Commission on the start of accession negotiations for the Republic of Moldova with the European Union is good news for the people of Moldova, as well as for all the citizens of the Union. The security and stability of the EU depend on how secure, stable, and better integrated into Europe our neighboring countries are. Therefore, greater European integration of Moldova, as well as Ukraine, makes us all stronger and safer,” stated MEP Siegfried Mureșan (EPP/PNL), President of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Moldova.
Wednesday’s announcement “confirms that the future of the Republic of Moldova lies in the European Union and that Russia’s influence in the region is diminishing.”
“The main credit for this belongs to President Maia Sandu and the pro-European leadership in Chisinau who have rejected all forms of pressure from Russia over the past two years and have set the country on a clear path of reforms and European integration. Following today’s positive opinion of the Commission, the final decision to start negotiations must be taken by the European Council in December,” says Mureșan.
He calls on the European Council to make the decision next month and confirm the start of negotiations.