Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs cautioned Moldova about the challenging EU accession process, advising its leaders to build strong political cooperation with each EU Member State to avoid obstacles later. He noted that Moldova could join the EU as early as 2029 or as late as 2032, depending on the actions of Moldova’s government and the decisions of EU member states. In an exclusive interview with journalist Ecaterina Covali for the “Bridges to Europe” project, Rinkēvičs shared insights into Moldova’s successful EU accession.
“Negotiations will be difficult,” Rinkēvičs warned. “Moldovans expect their government to protect national and economic interests. Joining the single market requires tough compromises, and Moldova will feel pressure from European negotiators. This process isn’t only about politics; it’s also highly practical. If Moldova succeeds in its reforms, fully adopts the acquis communautaire, and closes all negotiation chapters within six years—a highly ambitious goal— it will reach its first readiness milestone.
But there’s a second point that lies largely outside Moldova’s control: the approval of all EU member states. Each member has veto power, and sometimes, domestic political issues in these states delay accession, as seen in the cases of North Macedonia and Albania. For this reason, I strongly recommend that Moldova works politically with each EU Member State to prevent any unexpected delays in the integration process. As for the timeline, whether it’s 2030, 2029, or even 2032, the focus now should be on completing the necessary steps,” Rinkēvičs stated.
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This interview aired on RLIVE TV on Friday, November 1, at 18:00.
The day before, on October 31, 2024, Moldova’s Constitutional Court validated the results of the recent constitutional referendum, in which a majority of Moldovan citizens voted “YES” for EU integration. The approved amendments to the Constitution reaffirm Moldova’s European identity, making EU integration a strategic national objective.