The Republic of Moldova and EU Integration

The Republic of Moldova wants to get close to the EU faster and will apply for membership in 2015.

Valentin Țigău, 18.11.2014, 14:36

The Republic of Moldova will submit its EU membership application in 2015, Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti on Monday told a news conference held alongside his Austrian counterpart, Heinz Fischer, on an official visit to Chisinau. According to Nicolae Tomofti, the status of candidate country will increase Moldova’s security level. Nicolae Timofti:

“We plan to apply for EU membership in 2015. The status of candidate country is likely to boost integration policies, contribute to the overhaul of public institutions and place the Republic of Moldova in a conventional security area, protected from the threats in the region.”

According to President Timofti, the Republic of Moldova has no option for development other than the European one. Last week, the European Parliament ratified Moldova’s Association Agreement with the European Union. The Chisinau presidency’s spokesman, Vlad Turcanu, hailed the decision and emphasised the determination of the pro-democratic forces to further support the country’s European integration. Vlad Turcanu:

“On this occasion, the head of state congratulates the country’s citizens, who, in his opinion, have proved solidarity in supporting Moldova’s bid for the EU. The President regards the vote of the European Parliament members as an acknowledgement of the progress made by Moldova in the field of democratic reforms and an important step towards consolidating the EU-Moldova process of political and economic integration. Seven national parliaments of the 28 EU member countries have so far ratified that agreement, with Romania’s Parliament being the first to do so. “I am sure that only a European future can offer our citizens a better life, higher incomes, quality roads, high standard education and healthcare, access to a market of half a billion consumers, and also well-functioning institutions created after the European model,” Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca has said. On November 30 parliamentary elections will be held in the Republic of Moldova. Their outcome is important to the European prospects of that former Soviet republic. The latest opinion poll shows that the three main democratic parties in Moldova might be supported by 48% of voters, while the communists seem to be backed by only 27% of the electorate.