Moldova and Ukraine need a kind of Marshall Plan from the European Union - Maia Sandu.
The President of Moldova stated this while speaking at the annual EU Budget Conference in Brussels, which is chaired by the European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Johannes Hahn. She noted that for Moldova, EU membership means protecting the values that it holds dear, but these values are under threat in our region, and when it comes to the EU budget, it is time to think about serious investments to guarantee the restoration of peace, so that peace will prevail over the conflict. “We have gathered here today under the slogan of considering the future budget of the European Union. And this is not an ordinary discussion. Its goal is to lay the foundations for a Europe that not only prospers, but also protects. Formation of a bold, flexible and forward-looking budget, which is not just a register of expenses, but a plan for a peaceful and prosperous Europe,” emphasized Maia Sandu. She noted that “perhaps it would be bold for the President of Moldova, a country that has not yet joined the EU but is on the way to joining, to tell the EU how to spend money in the next budget cycle, and she is not doing this, but is counting on that the EU decision will be correct.” “Since my country depends on this decision, let me point out some things that will allow Moldova and perhaps other candidate countries to take a stronger position to resist external pressure in the preparation for accession,” said Maia Sandu. The current context is unprecedented, she said. The biggest war on European land since World War II is taking place near the borders of the European Union. “The security challenges posed by Russian aggression are not just a passing crisis: they require ongoing strategic resources. In Moldova, although there is no direct military threat, thanks to the courage of the soldiers and society of Ukraine, we have deeply realized the nature and essence of a new type of war, a hybrid war, where the battlefield is everywhere: in our economy, in space, in our information, in our sources of energy and even in our homes. Thus, we must respond with unprecedented energy and vision. The EU budget being discussed today is not just a financial document; this is and should be the budget of the peace,” said the President of Moldova. She noted that for Moldova, a peace budget means a budget that helps protect the values that the country holds dear. “The money available is as important as any military deterrent. They can help us build resilience, prepare for EU membership and protect us from those who want to impose a different way of life on us - repression of democratic freedoms. In the recent past, budgets were the building blocks of economic and social progress. They showed us how we should invest in education, technology, the ecological transition and many other important needs. We still have to do all of this, but we also need to invest in saving lives, restoring peace and protecting freedom. At key moments in history, Europe has always stepped up and found resources to help. Because we, Europeans, believe that the spread of evil can only be stopped by the expansion of good,” emphasized Maia Sandu. She noted the commitment to the ideals of unity, growth and solidarity that define the European project, emphasizing that for her personally the EU has always been a beacon of hope and progress, built on the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Throughout its history, the EU has welcomed new members with open arms, embraced diverse countries and encouraged cooperation. May 1 will mark the 20th anniversary of the EU's largest enlargement in 2004. This historic event welcomed 10 new countries into the EU, mainly from Central Europe and the East. “As the EU has done before, the time has come to invest decisively in preparing both the candidate countries and the Union itself for the next stage of enlargement. The successful integration of new members in 2004 was not an accident - it was the result of thoughtful and strategic EU budgeting and resource allocation. This brings me to the core of my message today: EU enlargement is the key to EU security. By integrating more countries, the EU extends its zone of stability to a wider region, which in turn strengthens our collective resilience to external pressures and threats. A well-planned budget that supports expansion is essential to making the alliance more cohesive and safer in an increasingly complex global landscape. If the European Union is serious about its enlargement program, this must be reflected in its budget planning,” said Maia Sandu. According to her, supporting candidate countries such as Moldova means prioritizing investments in those areas that strengthen the economy as well as the entire society - investments in governance, in anti-corruption measures, in judicial reforms and, very importantly, in security infrastructure. “We must understand that speed is becoming increasingly important. We are in a race against time, facing forces that have a dark vision for the future of our continent - a vision that we cannot allow to trump our aspirations for a prosperous and united Europe. To make our aspirations a reality, we will need even more support from the EU in the next Budget as we prepare for membership. Just as Western Europe received an economic lifeline after World War II thanks to America's Marshall Plan, Moldova and Ukraine need the EU's 21st-century equivalent of that plan. The Marshall Plan was designed to show an exhausted continent that democracy and capitalism were a better way forward than anything communism offered. Today's modern version will also have to give similar hope to those of us who aspire to EU membership,” said Maia Sandu. According to her, there is also a need for more speed and adjustments in terms of budget spending, which is currently too slow and too difficult. This is the consensus vision recently expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron. The Moldovan head of state drew attention to the fact that many EU countries face difficulties in fully using EU Next Generation funding due to complex procedures. “It is no longer feasible to continue down this path. For many years, the proposed solution has been to strengthen administrative capacity in candidate countries. However, experience has taught us that this alone is not enough to promote effective financing. A typical project delay of several months could make the difference between a power or no-power winter in Eastern Europe. Often building a bridge means 18 months of physical construction work after 8 years of procedures and paperwork. We cannot continue to use the same slow procedures. This is why the next EU budget must be one that looks beyond the horizon, anticipates problems and offers innovative solutions. We need a budget that is not just reactive, but proactive - a budget that represents a strategic investment in the peace. If we, the people of Moldova and our neighbors Ukraine, can defeat those who challenge our desire for peace and democracy, a sunnier world awaits us. If we fail, the consequences will be felt here in Brussels and in every other European capital. Help us show the citizens of Moldova, who have been living in hope for 30 years, that the European Union offers not only the prospect of a better future, but also the better present that they deserve – a dignified, free and dignified life,” emphasized Maia Sandu. According to her, the EU budget for peace will provide the tools to achieve what our country strives for, this will help speed up preparations for accession to the EU. “Thanks to the EU Peace Budget, help us make the whole continent safer! The EU budget is not about spending, but about investing in a better and more peaceful Europe - the most important foundation for future prosperity. The decisions you make will resonate beyond the halls of this conference and even beyond the EU's current borders, impacting the geopolitical landscape of our continent and the lives of millions of people who believe in the promise of a united Europe. Investments in peace through the EU budget are ultimately investments in the prosperity of all European countries. A peaceful Europe is a prosperous Europe, where companies can prosper, economies can grow, and societies can prosper without the risk of war,” concluded the head of the Moldovan state. // 29.04.2024 — InfoMarket
