Moldovan deputy premier: European Commission's decision - new significant stage in our relationship with EU

Chisinau, Nov. 9 /MOLDPRES/- On a visit to Brussels, the head of Moldovan diplomacy, Nicu Popescu, was received by Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement and Gert-Jan Koopman, Director-General of the Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, the MAEIE press service has reported.

The Moldovan official appreciated Koopman's message -  Moldova with a progress rate of 94% is undoubtedly one of the leading countries in terms of the European Union enlargement process.

In the Enlargement Report, the European Commission appreciated the achievements of our country in the last year and a half, including the implementation of the 9 recommendations, strengthening the rule of law and the fight against corruption, our progress in the freedom of expression, developments in the energy sector, as well as our contribution to maintaining peace and security in the region. As a result, the Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with Moldova.

During the visit to Brussels, I participated, together with Director Koopman in a public event organized by the Center for European Policy Studies. I had meetings with Thérèse Blanchet, Secretary General of the EU Council and Ilze Juhansone, Secretary General of the European Commission, and talked about the next steps in advancing the accession process. We are ready to start negotiations as soon as possible, once we have the positive vote of the EU member states in December 2023.

I thank the team of the Moldovan Mission in Brussels for the good organization of the visit", said Popescu.