The European Commission recommended that the Council of the EU grant Moldova the status of a candidate for EU membership.
This was stated by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at a briefing on Friday, noting that the European Commission recommends that the Council of the European Union grant Moldova a European perspective and the status of a candidate for EU membership, like Ukraine, provided that certain steps are taken and reforms are carried out. “We recommend that the council grants Moldova a European perspective and candidate status, with the understanding that the country still needs to implement a number of important reforms,” said Ursula von der Leyen. She noted that recently Moldova has shown determination to reform, and this path is supported by the citizens of the country. “This is a truly reformist, anti-corruption and European course, for the first time since independence. Of course, there is still a long way to go - its economy and especially public administration needs significant improvements. But provided that the leaders of the country maintain the current course, we believe that the country has the potential to achieve compliance with the criteria,” the head of the European Commission emphasized. In turn, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Olivér Várhelyi specified that Moldova needs to complete the public administration reform, improve financial management and the public procurement system. Changes are also needed in the judiciary to ensure greater independence, integrity, effectiveness of judges and transparency of the judiciary with democratic oversight of its work; strengthening the fight against corruption and organized crime; improving the protection of rights, in particular in the field of minority rights and combating violence against women. In published materials of the EC, it is noted that the European Commission came to the conclusion that in Moldova there is a solid basis for achieving the stability of institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect and protection of minorities; macroeconomic policies have been reasonably prudent and progress has been made in strengthening the financial sector and business environment, but major economic reforms remain to be undertaken; the country has created a solid foundation for further alignment with EU legislation. Based on this, the European Commission recommends giving Moldova the prospect of becoming a member of the European Union. Based on the opinion of the European Commission, the EU countries will now have to unanimously decide on the next steps. Applications of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia on EU membership in the light of the views of the European Commission will be discussed at the next meeting of the European Council on June 23-24 in Brussels. Moldovan President Maia Sandu welcomed the opinion of the European Commission, which recommends the EU countries to grant Moldova the status of a candidate for joining the European Union. She noted that the recommendation is based on the understanding that our country will make additional efforts in such key areas as justice reform, the fight against corruption, public administration and human rights. “It is in these areas that we have committed to the citizens to make changes and will stick to our commitments. The Commission will monitor the progress of work in these areas until the end of 2022,” she stressed. “This opinion of the European Commission, which came 3.5 months after Moldova applied for EU membership, strengthens our European aspirations, encourages us and strengthens our confidence that we are on the right track. This is also a huge step compared to the moment when our country was in relations with the EU a year or three years ago,” the head of state said. “We expect that at the meeting of the European Council on June 23-24, the EU countries will support the recommendation of the European Commission and grant our country the status of a candidate. This is an important moment for the future of Moldova and this is the hope that our citizens need. We know that this process will be difficult, but we are determined to follow this path, the purpose of which is to anchor our country in the European space of values, on the path of progress and well-being,” Maia Sandu said. // 17.06.2022 — InfoMarket
