Declaration by the External Relations Section on the positive political developments in the Republic of Moldova

Declaration by
Dimitris Dimitriadis President of the EESC Section for External Relations and Dumitru Fornea President of the EESC Eastern Neighbours Follow-up Committee
Organisation
European Economic and Social Committee

With regard to the Republic of Moldova, the Section for External Relations of the European Economic and Social Committee:

  1. welcomes the positive political developments in the Republic of Moldova, where following the early parliamentary elections of July 11, 2021, citizens democratically elected people's representatives in the country's Parliament, coming from a political party that openly declares itself Pro European.
  2. notes the high expectations of the population and the need for the Republic of Moldova to implement reforms to strengthen the European course of the country. These require a sincere and constant commitment from all institutions involved in the process of accession to the European Union.
  3. highlights that a parliamentary majority by a party that supports integration into the European Union is an opportunity that should not be wasted by the Chisinau authorities. A few years ago, the self-proclaimed "Pro European" political forces deeply disappointed voters and caused a strong setback to the idea of ​​Moldova's integration into the EU.
  4. points out that political statements are not enough to reform the state and modernize it so that it is able to provide citizens with public services according to EU standards. Immediate and consistent policy actions are needed to strengthen the rule of law, so that both the EU partner institutions, but especially citizens and investors, can build confidence in the European future of this country.
  5. claims that the European Union and organized civil society in the EU and the Republic of Moldova must constantly support the Chisinau authorities in their efforts to modernize state institutions. Once assured by the seriousness and dedication of Moldovan partners, the EU institutions should financially and technically support projects that allow for better interconnection and interdependence between the EU and the Republic of Moldova.
  6. supports the elimination of roaming charges for electronic communications, on the model already existing in the EU;  achieving energy and ICT interconnection, as well as modernizing the road/rail interconnection infrastructure between the EU and the Republic of Moldova, provide the necessary support to introduce Moldova into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) or increase funding for European support programs dedicated to independent media and civil society, are priorities that the EU institutions together with the relevant Moldovan institutions should implement without delay. Moreover, in-depth cooperation should be extended to other areas such as the common agricultural policy, industrial policy, education, research and innovation.

  7. confirms the support of Moldova and the facilitation of dialogue between institutions and organized civil society.

  8. stresses that the place of the Republic of Moldova is in Europe. In July 2021, the first signs were shown that the time had come to become a Member State of the European Union.

  9. supports the Batumi Summit Declaration signed by the Heads of State of Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine on 19 July 2021 that underlines their common goal of accession to the EU and the considerable progress of relations with the latter.

Dimitris Dimitriadis President of the EESC Section for External Relations

Dumitru Fornea President of the EESC Eastern Neighbours Follow-up Committee

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