Give Moldova EU candidate status and get to work

"The EU should grant EU candidate status to the Republic of Moldova based on its own merit”, said Siegfried Mureșan MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chair, ahead of today’s speech of the Moldavian President Maia Sandu in the plenary of the European Parliament.

“The Republic of Moldova plays a key role in the security of the European Union. By welcoming over 460,000 refugees to its territory and offering them shelter, food and healthcare, the Republic of Moldova and its citizens have proven, beyond any doubt, that they are acting in a European spirit. Maia Sandu’s speech today in the European Parliament is, therefore, an opportunity for the whole of Europe to understand the role which the Republic of Moldova now has for the security of Europe”, Mureșan said.

“Our response to Moldova’s EU membership bid must be 'yes, we welcome you, let’s get to work now'. The citizens of Moldova deserve the perspective of joining the European Union. Obviously, the path to EU membership requires many steps to be taken by both Moldova and the European Union, but we must get to work now”, Mureșan added.

Mureșan, who chairs the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Moldova, insists at the same time on the further inclusion of Moldova in the European Single Market. “The accession of Moldova to the European Single Market would facilitate Moldovan exports to the EU and would lead to additional investments in Moldova”, he explained.

“Granting EU candidate status for the Republic of Moldova and integrating Moldova into the EU Single Market - this is what the overwhelming majority of the European Parliament voted for by adopting the Resolution on Moldova on 5 May. The EU Institutions have to be ready for the next phase of the EU accession process”, concluded Mureșan.