The chairwoman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and chairman of the European Council Antonio Costa will go to the capital of Moldova on Friday, jelly, to signal support for this country's accession to the EU.
The problem, however, is that the conclusion of this Eastern European country He is considered at the same time with Kiev's applicationwhich is opposed by the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban sympathizing with the Kremlin.
In an interview with Politico, Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova and the head of European integration Kristina Gierasimow emphasized that all delays in the process will cost the EU “credibility in the eyes of countries that share the same values and strive to strengthen, not weaken democracy.”
– We risk providing Russian propaganda with unnecessary arguments that the EU is not interested in extending that The EU does not care about countries like Moldova And that there is no chance to change the situation – she said. – The extension is a process based on achievements and we hope that the next stage will be launched as soon as possible.
Gierasimow added that Ukraine's accession to the EU It remains necessary for the safety of the entire continent.
EPA / Chasialis Vaios / PAP
Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova Kristina Gierasimow, July 2, 2024
Orban, who consistently opposes the EU support for Kiev and cares for closer relations with Russia, claims that 95 percent. Voters in a referendum conducted last month in Hungary told against Ukraine's accession to the EU. Local opposition and observers say, however, that the turnout in the vote was Historically low and susceptible to manipulation.
Budapest announced that Kiev would not receive unanimous support necessary to join the EU, despite the significant progress of Ukraine in reforms and the struggle to defend his territory against Russia.
At the beginning of this week, a spokesman for the European Commission for the extension of Guillaume Mercier said that Brussels would not consider the issue of “separating” the conclusions of Moldova and Ukraine to enable the progress of the former. – This is really a decision that Member States must make. For our part, it is clear that we support both Moldova and Ukraine in their reform program – he said.
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The Danish Minister of European Affairs Marie Bjerre, whose country took over the rotational presidency in the EU Council this week, emphasized on Thursday that the goal should be to start detailed accession conversations with both countries. “I think it's too early to speculate about any alternative,” she said.
This creates a potential impasse, especially considering Brussels's reluctance to leave Kiev behind.
The Kremlin intensifies sabotage activities
Meanwhile, for the EU and Chisinau Friday's peak is aimed at sending a strong political signal before key national elections On September 28, which the Kremlin tries to influence.
– We see that Russia is investing unprecedented funds to interfere in parliamentary elections – said the EU Commissioner for the extension Marta Kos in an interview with Politico. – Moscow perceives Moldova as a strategic element of destabilization of southern Ukraine.
Moldova authorities announced about widespread disinformation, buying votes and the use of hybrid tactics During the October referendum on membership in the Union, which ended with a result of 50.4 percent. votes with accession. However, although the pro -European president of Maia Sandu managed to secure a second term, control over parliament and government will be of key importance for determining the future direction of the country's development.
The EU is now allocating billions of euros to strengthen Moldova's resistance to Russian hybrid attacks, as well as to support the economy and reduce energy bills. – The Friday peak is to show, how important it is for Europe to support Moldova in these difficult times and help in her aspirations for membership in the EU – added Kos.
According to Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian MEP, who chairs the delegation of the European Parliament to Moldova, Chisinus faces smaller challenges related to joining the EU than Kiev.
“It's a smaller country that is easier to integrate,” he noted. In his opinion, “the perspective of membership in the EU must be reliable for all candidates.” – Therefore, the message must be clear: as soon as the criteria are met, the candidate country can join the EU – he added.
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