Experts: European leaders' visit to Chișinău – historic moment and strong signal of support for Moldova

The visit of European officials yesterday was a powerful symbolic gesture: two of the leaders delivered speeches in Romanian, and the moment of direct interaction with citizens, without ties, underscored the message of sincere support and friendship. The statements were made by several experts, including Mihai Mogîldea, an expert of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, Arcadie Barbarosie, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Alexandru Tănase, former president of the Constitutional Court.

Mihai Mogîldea said that the visit of the three officials confirmed the European Union's firm commitment to supporting Moldova's European path.


"I believe that yesterday's visit demonstrated once again that the Republic of Moldova is warmly welcomed in the European Union. European countries today are strong supporters of integration processes and have shown countless times their openness and support for our country's accession. The message sent by the three European leaders last evening clearly confirmed this. These words are not empty; they reflect the European Union's firm commitment to supporting our path to membership and offering full openness for the Republic of Moldova to become a member in a foreseeable future," the expert said.


Mogîldea explained the perspective of opening accession negotiations:


"If 3-4 years ago, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we were not discussing accession in real terms and believed that only in 10-15 years we could hope for this status, today the situation is completely different. We are firmly convinced that this objective is possible. We can expect that this autumn, after the parliamentary elections, the member states will make a decision regarding the start of individual negotiations on chapters. By the end of the year, we could open the first negotiation chapters – especially those related to fundamental values, justice, and the rule of law. This would be a major achievement," Mogîldea added.


Arcadie Barbarosie emphasized the symbolic dimension and the message of the visit:


"Yesterday's visit by officials from Germany, France, and Poland represents an exceptionally important event for the Republic of Moldova. The fact that it took place on Independence Day and that such high-ranking individuals from the European Union came has a special significance. The message conveyed to the citizens is very clear: be mindful of whom you vote for. Nobody said this directly, but it is the underlying message. Official visits of this level do not happen by chance."


He also remarked on the gestures of the European leaders:


"A particularly symbolic element was the choice of the Romanian language for the speeches. I knew that Donald Tusk spoke Romanian, but I didn't expect President Macron to read a text so naturally and be understood by the audience. Language matters greatly, and people felt this respect and appreciated it. Equally important was that the visit had two dimensions: the official, protocol part, as well as the part dedicated to the public, where European leaders appeared without ties, shook hands with people, congratulated them, and wished them health. This closeness once again conveys a message of direct and sincere support," Barbarosie noted.


 Alexandru Tănase shared an emotional message on his social media page:


"On August 27, 1991, I was also there, in the square, among the thousands of people who decided to take their destiny into their own hands and break the chains of the Soviet occupation. I remember that air filled with hope, the eyes full of light of those around and the power of a crowd that knew it was making history. Yesterday, seeing the National Assembly Square filled again, with the leaders of the most important European states alongside our president Maia Sandu, I felt those same shivers return. The same emotion, the same belief that our path is the right one. Today we manage to get closer to Europe. We will succeed even more if we remain united," Tănase concluded.


Three of Europe's most influential leaders – President of France Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk – came yesterday on Independence Day to Chișinău to convey a firm message of support for Moldova's European integration process. 

Macron delivered a speech in Romanian, wearing a badge with the flag of the Republic of Moldova on his chest. 

Donald Tusk also delivered his speech in Romanian.