EU accession negotiations could be opened in next June; parliament speaker says Moldova, Ukraine deserve this step

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu believes that Moldova and Ukraine deserve to get the official opening of accession negotiations with the European Union in next June, emphasizing that this step would be beneficial for both states.

The speaker said that, after the launch of negotiations, each country should advance according to its own pace and its capacity to implement reforms.

“I believe that Moldova and Ukraine deserve to obtain the official opening of negotiations now, in June. Afterwards, each country should advance at the speed it has and can mobilize. It would be fair and beneficial both for Moldova and for Ukraine,” Igor Grosu said.

The official also referred to political developments in Hungary, expressing his hope that there are friendly conditions for advancing discussions on the European Union’s enlargement.

“We all saw the elections in Hungary; it was a good result and I believe there are grounds for having these discussions,” the parliament speaker said.

At the same time, Igor Grosu noted that he followed the statements of the Hungarian prime minister on his interest in a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky and in removing the obstacles that prevent a decision on opening accession negotiations for Moldova and Ukraine.

The Moldovan authorities are awaiting the official decision from Brussels on the opening of European Union accession negotiations for Moldova, a process considered an essential stage on the country’s European path. The government of Moldova has set EU accession by 2030 as its objective.

According to Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov, Moldova has made significant progress in the reform process, being a leader among candidate states.

“We are the country with the highest rate of reform implementation on the European path among the candidate states. We have also seen that the figure of 93 per cent regarding the reform agenda in the context of the economic growth plan. Once again, it shows that institutions have mobilized, institutions are working, institutions are delivering. This is highly appreciated,” Cristina Gherasimov said.

Moldovan officials say that the level of reforms’ implementation confirms the commitment of state institutions to advancing on the European path; yet, they stress that the decision to open negotiations depends on the member states of the European Union.