Moldova handed over the first part of the completed questionnaire for accession to the European Union.
President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and members of the established Commission for European Integration took part in the event held in the presidential administration building on Friday. The first part of the completed questionnaire was handed to the head of the EU delegation to Moldova, Janis Mazeiks. Moldovan President stressed that she held today the inaugural meeting of the commission for Moldova's European integration, which was set up to coordinate the preparations for Moldova's accession to the EU. Prime Minister thanked all those who took part in the process, noting that they were not only representatives of the government, parliament and many other institutions subordinated to them, but also of the civil society. Maia Sandu stressed that the work does not stop here and the more voluminous second part of the questionnaire is due to be completed, which will require even more intensive and concerted efforts. President emphasized that EU integration is a national project for Moldova, a project of the present generation, and it is the "light at the end of the tunnel," which we all need, and therefore the efforts of the entire society are needed here. "We know what to do, we know that it takes a huge but real effort to reach the goal," she said. For her part, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said Moldova has taken another step forward towards its European future, which the country's citizens want. According to her, the authorities want to show that they are ready to switch from the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Moldova and the EU, which have brought many benefits in recent years, to the path to EU membership. "This means not only material benefits, European funding, infrastructure, roads, systems, water and sewage, modern energy efficiency systems, but above all European values, real democracy, fair justice, respect for human rights and freedoms, trust of citizens in the state and public institutions. We have to work hard for that, and we should strive for that," said the head of the government. She noted that the first part of the questionnaire filled in for Moldova's accession to the European Union shows the starting point. The document speaks about Moldovan legislation, the way the institutions are organized, provisions on human rights, the economic situation, progress in the harmonization with the European legislation. Janis Mazeiks, head of the EU delegation to Moldova, said the speed with which the Moldovan authorities filled in the first part of the questionnaire received 11 days ago from the European Commission for Moldova's accession to the EU, shows the determination of the President, Government and people to do everything possible to lead Moldova to the European family. Janis Mazheiks noted that the submission of the first part of the questionnaire is only the first step in a long process. Now Moldova has received the second part of the questionnaire, which covers all areas. "We are waiting for the answers to the second part. This is necessary for the European Commission to form an opinion in light of the compliance with the Copenhagen criteria. The first answers received will be forwarded to our colleagues in the central office for further analysis and formulation of conclusions. We look forward to further close cooperation with Moldova for the next steps on the European path," said the Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova. //22.04.2022 - InfoMarket.
