Maia Sandu stated that the Republic of Moldova does not want a “shortcut” to the EU – 03.06.2022
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, declared today that the country does not aim to join the European Union on a “shortcut”, Reuters reports, according to Agerpres.
At the GLOBSEC 2022 forum in Bratislava, Sandu said that the mere granting of candidate status does not mean that she will accept the Republic of Moldova in the EU. “We are not looking for a shortcut, we realize we have a long way to go,” she added.
The Republic of Moldova has intensified its efforts to join the EU due to fears that it could be drawn into the conflict in Ukraine, according to Reuters, noting that Georgia and Ukraine have taken similar steps. Transnistrian separatists have accused Kiev of allegedly carrying out armed attacks, explosions and raids across the border.
The head of the Chisinau government, Natalia Gavriliţa, said last week that there was a “historic” chance of joining the European Union, and no project that would bring Moldova closer to the EU should take the place of full membership.
Today, President Maia Sandu informed the participants in the conference in Slovakia that a reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption are taking place in the Republic of Moldova, and the first countries in the EU could contribute to the consolidation of democracy.
“Staying in this buffer region, in this gray area, is very bad news for us. To try to get a positive signal from the EU,” she said.