Maia Sandu: Moldova’s EU integration is essential for democracy
Moldovan President Maia Sandu concluded her diplomatic tour of the European Union on Thursday by attending the Globsec forum in Prague. She expressed hope that a formal decision on opening accession negotiations will be made in the coming weeks.
The Republic of Moldova has made significant efforts and is prepared to commence accession negotiations with the European Union, said President Maia Sandu at the Globsec forum, a key international platform focused on foreign and security policy. She emphasized that the decision regarding EU enlargement and Moldova's accession “should be made in Brussels, not in Moscow.”
“For us, integration into the European Union is truly a strategy for long-term survival as a democracy. Moldova has built its resilience and worked hard, but it is challenging for a small country to sustain itself on its own for an extended period. We do not believe that Russia will cease its pressure on us in the near future. That is why we are so determined and committed to EU integration,” Maia Sandu stated.
Czech President Petr Pavel reiterated earlier remarks from European leaders, indicating that Moldova’s accession negotiations could begin in June. He noted that Chisinau has made the most significant progress among candidate states. Pavel supports accelerating the accession process based on merit, especially at a time when some EU governments have reservations about Ukraine's candidacy.
Maia Sandu's diplomatic tour in support of the European path included visits to the European Parliament, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
On May 19, in Strasbourg, during a plenary session of the European Parliament, the head of state met with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, as well as leaders of the main European political groups. During this visit, Maia Sandu was awarded the European Order of Merit, which honors individuals who have significantly contributed to promoting European values and strengthening the European project.
On May 20, she visited the Netherlands, where she held discussions with Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen.
The Republic of Moldova remains committed to fully joining the EU by 2030, with European integration viewed as the strategy for survival as a democracy against Russian threats.
