European Talks in Chisinau
Approaching the end of h is term as head of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso has paid a visit to Chisinau, to support Moldova's European aspirations
Valentin Țigău, 13.06.2014, 12:29
The European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who paid a visit to Chisinau, just two weeks ahead the signing of the Republic of Moldova’s Association Agreement with the EU, on Thursday signed two documents that guarantee European financial support for reform implementation in that country. Thus Brussels will provide the Republic of Moldova with 21 million Euros for the implementation of the free movement agreement, 14 million for rural development and several other millions for the development of the energy sector.
The EC head made an appeal for national cohesion for reform implementation and talked about Moldova’s European integration efforts as a priority that should be embraced by the entire Moldovan people. “Our relationship with Moldova is not just political or diplomatic, not just for politicians or diplomats, but for the people. We want the Moldovan citizens to be closer to the European Union” Barroso said.
He went on saying that the Association Agreement with the EU is perfectly compatible with Moldova’s free trade agreement with the Commonwealth of Independent States and called on Russia not to oppose Moldova’s European integration efforts. “I call upon Russia to take advantage of the new opportunities and not to take punitive measures further to the upcoming signature and implementation of the Agreement with Moldova. There is no economic reason nor legal justification for such behaviour” the European Commission President said.
The latest opinion polls show that 46% of the Moldovan citizens want their country to join the EU, and only 18% favour Moldova’s joining NATO. The Republic of Moldova is not part of the military component of the Commonwealth of Independent States, but the neutrality stipulated in the Constitution could be revised. On Thursday, the Moldovan Defense Minister Valeriu Troenco stated that, given the violent clashes in neighboring Ukraine, Moldova should be prepared to react, if need may be. Valeriu Torenco:
“It is possible that we wake up tomorrow morning and see that part of the territory had been annexed. NATO has obviously become, for us all, a warrant of stability and a protector of the smaller countries’ interests. There is no other force that could better cope with Russia.”
Manuel Barroso’s support visit to Chisinau was part of a longer tour taken by the European official, who is now approaching the end of his second term as head of the European Commission. The tour also includes Georgia and Azerbaijan, which are also members of the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
