On Thursday 12 October, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, underlined the “excellent progress” made by Moldova in the priorities set by the Commission to recommend the opening of EU accession negotiations at the beginning of November, and called for them to be pursued.
“Now is the time to focus and double down on our efforts”, she added during her visit to Chisinau, in the presence of the Moldovan President, Maia Sandu. She said she was “very impressed” by the country’s determination to make progress.
“Our country is doing its utmost to fulfil all its commitments to begin accession negotiations as quickly as possible”, promised Ms Sandu. In her view, “membership is not just a political choice, but the only way to protect (Moldovan) freedom, peace and democracy”. She added that her country’s desire to join the EU was based on its desire to modernise economically and safeguard its security, particularly in terms of energy, cyber and military security.
The President of the European Commission also reiterated the EU’s “unwavering” solidarity with Chisinau.
Recalling that, since October 2021, the EU had supported Moldova to the tune of €1.2 billion, she said that by the end of the EU, €143 million should have been disbursed in budgetary support and macrofinancial assistance.
Furthermore, in addition to the €87 million from the ‘European Peace Facility’ from which the armed forces have already benefited, the EU is working on an additional package of €50 million for 2024, according to Ms von der Leyen. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)