Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Chief Negotiator for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, stated on Thursday (July 3) that in order to combat the spread of false Russian information domestically, Moldova hopes to officially start substantive accession negotiations with the European Union before the September elections.
Moldova and neighboring Ukraine officially began the process of joining the European Union in June 2023, but have not yet entered into negotiations involving core policies. Despite the European Commission and almost all member states considering both countries to meet the conditions, Hungary continues to block Ukraine’s accession process, indirectly slowing down Moldova’s progress.
Both Moldova and Ukraine view joining the EU as a major strategic goal, hoping to break free from Russian influence and firmly integrate these two former Soviet bloc republics into the Western camp.
This Friday, the EU and Moldova will hold their first summit in Kishinev. European officials are facing a dilemma: on one hand, they want to demonstrate support for Moldova’s accession prospects, but on the other hand, they are concerned that this may exacerbate concerns of Ukraine being marginalized.
EU accession negotiations are divided into six main thematic areas, covering fundamental rights, economic policies, and external relations, among other topics.
Gherasimov stated in an interview with Reuters in Brussels, “We truly believe that EU member states can find a solution to simultaneously open negotiations on the first thematic area for both Moldova and Ukraine.”
She pointed out that Moldova is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on September 28, during which Russia-backed political figures, media, and social media accounts continue to spread false anti-EU messages in an attempt to weaken public confidence in European integration.
“We need to prove that as long as we fulfill our responsibilities, the EU will also respond. This will help break the false narrative claiming that the EU is unwilling to accept Moldova,” said Gherasimov.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned that allowing Ukraine to join the EU could drag the entire EU into a war with Russia. EU officials, however, countered by stating that the current stage is just the beginning of the accession process, with formal membership still years away.
(Translated and adapted from related reports by Reuters)