EU Commissioner for Enlargement says Moldova on first position in its preparations for European Union membership

Moldova is on the first position in its preparations for European Union membership. This will become even more obvious, when the process of opening chapter-by-chapter negotiations is launched, which is planned for mid-June. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos today made statements to this effect, at news conference held jointly with President Maia Sandu.

The European Commissioner reconfirmed that Moldova and Ukraine were ready to open all negotiation chapters in the EU accession process and expressed hope that this would happen soon.

“We are meeting for the first time officially since we celebrated Moldova making the biggest leap in the enlargement report we presented last year. Since then, you have maintained this pace and so many things have happened with concrete results. Moldova is on the first position in its preparations for European Union membership. This will become even more visible when we start formulating the opening of negotiations by chapters. This will happen soon. We are counting on opening the first negotiation chapter under the Cypriot Presidency in mid‑June. This is also the opinion of the European Commission: Moldova and Ukraine are ready to open all negotiation chapters. I hope this will happen before the summer break,” said Marta Kos.

The European official underlined that the results achieved by Moldova in implementing reforms had made it possible to mobilize over 600 million euros for investments.

“We are witnessing the same speed in reforms’ implementation, which is also linked to the Growth Plan. The fact that Moldova has achieved a 93 per cent reforms’ implementation rate is a remarkable result. This has allowed the unlocking of over 600 million euros for investments. This stability and this improved environment make Moldova quite attractive for business,” the Commissioner said.

Marta Kos added that the reforms implemented by the authorities strengthened the confidence of foreign partners, investors and citizens.

“It is very important to strengthen the confidence of citizens and potential investors. Investors represent the driving force for growth and economic growth will bring more prosperity for citizens. Obviously, this cannot happen overnight. But a stronger economy means the possibility to improve the education system, the health system and to increase pensions,” Marta Kos emphasized.

The official also referred to the results achieved in a single year since the implementation of the EU Growth Plan for Moldova, which provides for 1.9 billion euros in investments.

“Today we see the results achieved in just one year through the Growth Plan. Many companies are present here precisely because they see the growth opportunities of Moldova. We have noticed enhanced interest in Moldova, which has generated an enormous number of investment projects. The Commission is now evaluating these projects, in order to identify the most suitable solutions for companies and investors. We want to have as many such projects as possible. This is how we build Europe at home for future generations,” specified Marta Kos.

The Commissioner said that Moldova had proved resilience in the face of hybrid attacks and had clearly chosen the European path.

“We have seen a nation that has managed to put corrupt people behind bars, we have seen a nation that is reforming institutions at an impressive pace. Today, we can say that Moldova is truly a security contributor for Europe. We all have something to learn from you,” she said.

Marta Kos noted that, during her visit to Moldova, she would hold discussions with young people, mayors, representatives of political parties and of civil society.

“I want to continue working with everyone on this European path. This is the future we see for Moldova. It is a project and a partnership that can unite  Moldova. From the moment Moldova became a candidate country for accession to the European Union, you already have a special place in the European family, based on our common values of solidarity. Europe means solidarity,” concluded Marta Kos.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is paying a visit to Moldova on June 4-6, this year. Today morning, the official took part in the opening of the first Moldova – European Union Investment Conference, stressing that Moldova had carried out essential reforms which had allowed the country to advance on its European path and to build a solid foundation for its future accession to the European Union.