Despite pressure and what he described as Russian blackmail, Moldova has remained on its European path, Romanian Member of the European Parliament Siegfried Muresan said. The official described the European Union’s invitation for Moldova to begin discussions on opening the first accession negotiation cluster as a historic moment.
According to Muresan, the decision is the result of the efforts made in recent years by both the Moldovan authorities and its citizens. He also noted that the European Parliament has considered Moldova ready to open accession negotiations for more than a year.
“The announcement by the Cypriot Presidency is, first and foremost, the result of the efforts made in recent years by the authorities and the people of the Republic of Moldova. Despite unprecedented aggression and blackmail from the Russian Federation, Moldova has continued along its European path and has even become one of the top-performing candidate countries in implementing reforms.
In the European Parliament, we have believed for more than a year that Moldova is ready to begin cluster-based accession negotiations. As Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Moldova, I am pleased that, after a year of pressure from our side, the Council is now on the verge of opening these negotiations. We in the European Parliament will continue to stand by Moldova with technical assistance, political support, and everything necessary. An irreversibly European Moldova is in the economic and security interest of everyone: Romania, all EU member states, and, above all, Moldova itself. Moldova will be alongside us in the European Union,” Muresan said.
On Wednesday evening, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov announced that the EU had invited Moldova to discussions on opening the first cluster of accession negotiations.
President Maia Sandu welcomed the decision, describing it as a sign of unity and determination. She said that the Moldovan authorities are ready to take the next step in the country’s EU accession process.