The Members of the European Union Parliament have urged the Commission to initiate EU accession talks with Moldova as soon as possible, and in the latest scenario, before the end of 2023, for the second time in a row, after previously making such calls in April this year.
In a resolution approved today, on October 5, the MEPs have shown their support for an EU future for Moldova, insisting that the latter has proved its determination to meet the Commission’s requirements for EU Membership.
In a press release issued by the EU Parliament following today’s session, the MEPs have noted that Moldova’s EU membership would represent a geostrategic investment in a united and strong Europe.
They [the MEPs] underline the importance of the Chişinău government continuing the country’s reform process, not only in order to reach the political objective of joining the EU, but primarily for the tangible improvement of the living standards of Moldovans.
Further, through the same resolution, the MEPs have required from the EU to continue and increase financial and technical assistance to Moldova, in order to make possible its quick and effective EU accession. Amongst others, they urge the Commission to release a new instalment of ongoing Macro Financial Assistance as soon as possible.
The resolution, approved with 448 votes pro, 45 against with 43 abstentions, comes less than a month after the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and Moldova belong in the EU, during her State of the Union address on September 13.
She had however, highlighted that the road to EU Membership is not an easy one, calling on the countries aspiring to join the bloc to work towards this goal.
The MEPs have also urged the Moldovan authorities to continue their work in order to meet the criteria set for this country to become a full EU Member, highlighting the need for important and urgent reforms of the country’s legislation in order to harmonise it with that of the EU.
MEPs highlight ongoing work on sustainable and comprehensive justice and anticorruption reform as particularly important, and call on the Moldovan authorities to continue the work on de-oligarchisation, public finance management reform, fighting organised crime and public administration reform.
Moldova applied for EU Membership in March 2022, immediately after Ukraine, following the invasion of the latter by the Russian military. The EU granted membership status to Moldova months later, in June 2022.
EU Accession Negotiations With Moldova Must Start by the End of 2023, Parliament Says
