The European Parliament believes that the European Union should grant Moldova the status of an EU candidate and provide more strategic support.
This was stated by the deputies of the European Parliament, adopting on Thursday their annual report on the implementation of the EU association agreement with Moldova. The document says that in addition to the worsening security situation, Russia's war against Ukraine has disproportionately affected neighboring Moldova. Its economy has been affected by lost import and export opportunities and rapidly rising energy prices. Moldova has also hosted the highest per capita number of Ukrainian refugees of any country, placing a huge strain on its public services. MEPs welcomed Moldova's March 3 official declaration of EU accession, provoked by the Russian invasion, as it "confirms the country's European path." They call on the EU institutions to grant Moldova the status of an EU candidate, along with Ukraine and Georgia, in accordance with Article 49 and “on the basis of merit”. The European Parliament also believes that, in the meantime, the EU and Moldova should continue to work on integrating the country into the EU single market. The European Commission, for its part, should help Moldova prepare a sound strategy before joining the EU. MEPs also point to the need for more strategic EU support for Moldova, for example through the creation of a new Commission Support Group for the country, similar to the existing one for Ukraine. The report also emphasizes that the declarations of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia for EU membership open a new chapter in their European integration, which should be characterized by active efforts to implement existing association agreements and deep and comprehensive free trade areas. Welcoming the initial progress of the current government's ambitious reform agenda, MEPs urge the Moldovan authorities to work towards an irreversible rapprochement with the EU. This includes promoting justice and rule of law reforms, as well as fighting corruption and oligarchic structures. The text also highlights the need for the government to continue to improve the living standards of Moldovan citizens in order to prevent the ongoing brain drain and restore people's trust in state institutions. Finally, MEPs express their deep concern over the recent series of security incidents in the Transnistrian region and denounce them as dangerous provocative actions taken in a highly volatile security situation. They reiterated their support for a comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova. “The European Union must urgently grant candidate country status to Moldova and Ukraine. It will send a message to the world that the EU supports those with whom we share the same values in a concrete, tangible and purposeful way. This is a message to Putin and all the dictators of the world that we will remain united in the face of any aggression and such actions will only become stronger. First of all, it is also a message to the citizens of Moldova, those who have chosen the European path, that Europe sees them, hears them and will not leave them,” said speaker Dragos Tudorache. // 19.05.2022- InfoMarket.
