Brussels, 08/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 8 April, the Foreign Minister of Moldova, Natalia Gherman, stressed that her country needs a clear prospect of accession to the EU, “now more than ever” (our translation throughout).
“Giving Moldova a European perspective is more important now than ever, against the backdrop of a tense regional situation, which has brought with it many challenges”, she explained in an interview with AFP. “We hope that this visionary approach will be reflected in the documents of the summit” of the Eastern Partnership, to be held in Riga on 21 and 22 May, she added.
The member states of the EU are divided over wording which indicates the possibility of future accession to the EU for countries of the Eastern Partnership which fulfil the conditions. In June 2014, Moldova signed its association agreement with the EU and is the first country of the Eastern Partnership to enjoy a visa-free regime.
“European integration is the best path to the reunification of the country, because the benefits are felt by all (…). It is worth far more than any abstract strategy” to combat separatism, Gherman explained. Moldova is in a conflict situation with the breakaway region of Transnistria.
According to a number of sources, Moldova may submit an accession application this year (see EUROPE 11227). “We have to achieve a positive critical mass in setting reforms in place before we can make our accession application (…), in coordination with our European partners”, the Minister explained. In April 2014, the former Prime Minister, Iurie Leanca, expressed his hope that his country would become a member of the EU in the second half of 2019, during the Romanian Presidency of the EU (see EUROPE 11070). (Camille-Cerise Gessant)