The joint declaration was adopted in order to grant the status of candidate country to the Republic of Moldova and its inclusion in the European single market.
PNL MEP Siegfried Mureșan, co-chair of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee, says a joint statement has been adopted in Strasbourg calling on the EU institutions to work for Moldova’s status as a candidate country and its inclusion in the European single market.
“The most important thing I did today (Wednesday – no.) In the Parliamentary Association Committee was to adopt a joint statement, adopted by both the members of the European Parliament (EP) and the members of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in the association. This statement gives a great deal of support to the Republic of Moldova and offers in the first few things (…) First of all, the Moldovan MEPs present at the meeting request, in the adopted declaration, the European Union institutions to work for granting EU candidate status to the Republic. . Moldova “, Mureşan declared during a press conference in the EP, quoted by Agerpres.
He stressed that everything the EU has to offer to Ukraine must also be given to the Republic of Moldova at this time, and that the European law offered by the document adopted on Wednesday is similar to the EU legislation offered to Ukraine by the resolution adopted in early March.
“The answer we have today (Wednesday – no) to the intention of the Republic of Moldova to join the EU is yes, you are welcome, you have this perspective, you have this perspective, let’s not get down to business, to work for the Republic Moldova of the state. of the candidate country and then, of course, all the other stages “, said Siegfried Mureșan, who avoided advancing a term in which the perspective could materialize.
He said that the statement adopted on Wednesday also contained a commitment to accelerate Moldova’s integration into the European single market.
“Until the moment when Moldova’s accession to the EU can be completed through political and institutional accession, we have the obligation to bring it as close as possible to the EU. By including it in the European single market, we have facilitated economic and trade exchanges between the Republic of Moldova and the EU. The Republic of Moldova could export more to the EU, we would have more European investments in the Republic of Moldova, we would have the introduction of European legislation, of the acquis communautaire in many sectors “, explained the vice-president of the EPP group from the EP.
Thirdly, the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee called on the European Commission to set up a support group to provide more administrative and technical support to the state.
“We see in the Republic of Moldova an increased desire to cooperate with the EU, we have a package of economic aid of 600 million euros at the disposal of these countries for the next three years. In order for the Republic of Moldova to be able to absorb these resources and to finance the most suitable projects, it is necessary for the EU institutions to increase their administrative and technical commitment “, he underlined.
At the same time, the statement calls on member states to cooperate with Moldovan authorities in investigating the theft of 1 billion euros from the banking system. “There is a possibility that some of those assets will be in EU member states, the probability of recovering them will be much higher if the EU authorities cooperate with the Moldovan authorities,” Muresan explained.
Last but not least, the Committee called on the EC to increase financial support for the Republic of Moldova. “Two weeks ago, we adopted in the EP the proposed macro-financial assistance package proposed by the EC of 150 million euros for the Republic of Moldova, and on Monday the EU Council gave the final vote. We believe that more aid is needed. Yesterday (Tuesday – no) the EC proposed another 53 million euros of budget support for the Republic of Moldova. We in the EP are ready, if the EC proposes additional macro-financial assistance, to approve it quickly “, he assured.
The PNL MEP emphasized the key role played by the Republic of Moldova during the refugee crisis that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“I want to thank the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and the authorities in Chisinau, but also at the local level, (…) for their support to the Ukrainian refugees. The Republic of Moldova is the European state that has received the most refugees relative to its own population, more than any EU member state. What Moldova has accomplished in recent weeks is very important for the entire EU, it has helped to stabilize the situation on the border with Ukraine, the help given to Ukrainian citizens is also an important help to the EU, “he added.
Mihai Popsoi, vice-president of the Chisinau parliament and co-chair of the EU-Moldova Association Committee, said his country “is by far Ukraine’s most vulnerable neighbor.”
“At the same time, the Republic of Moldova has shown exemplary mobilization, hosting a large number – proportionally, speaking per capita, the largest number of refugees – and we will continue to do so from now on,” he assured.
He said his country’s vulnerabilities, already exacerbated by the pandemic and energy crises, had been exacerbated by the refugee crisis and deteriorating security in the region.
“In order to maintain the macro-financial stability in the Republic of Moldova, on which the political stability and the ability to continue to be a security provider in the region, a state that supports the international order, we rely heavily on the support of our EU partners,” he said. . he.
Mihai Popşoi stressed that the needs of his country and the budget deficit are growing every day and this support continues to be as necessary as possible.
“In this context, I would like to reiterate our determination to move forward on our European integration agenda with the support of our good friends in the EU. We very much want the legitimate aspirations of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to be heard in the EU and to become a candidate state for the Europeanization of the country to be an irreversible one “, the official of Chisinau pleaded.
He said his administration is committed to further implementing all necessary reforms “to eliminate or minimize endemic corruption in the justice system, to strengthen our anti-corruption institutions and, yes, to to try to remedy that national shame which is called the theft of the billion ”.
Mihai Popşoi also stated that the determination of the Action and Solidarity Party and of President Maia Sandu is unwavering in its desire to join the EU, “but the process of European integration is not an end in itself, it is a means to transform the lives of the citizens of the Republic. . Moldova ”.
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