Moldova likely to conclude EU accession negotiations by late 2027

The Republic of Moldova could conclude the EU accession negotiations by December 2027, and the country's integration into the community bloc will depend on the political will in Chișinău, particularly from the next Parliament to be elected this fall. President Maia Sandu made the statements at a TV8 program.

The President said that the new Legislature would have the mission of deciding on accession and entering history as the Parliament of European Integration.

"Everything depends on us now. Brussels has repeatedly confirmed through the voices of its officials (the support for Moldova's accession). Now everything is in our hands and the choice we will make in the parliamentary election because everything depends on the support of Parliament, on the parliamentary majority. We know about the Parliament of Independence. The next Parliament can become the Parliament of European Integration if there is a majority of deputies supporting European integration; then this parliament will become one of European integration, as European integration will take place during its mandate, or this parliament will derail everything and bury European integration," Maia Sandu declared.

There are all the premises for Moldova to conclude the negotiation process by December 2027 and for EU accession to occur in the coming years, provided that political support for this process is maintained in Chișinău, emphasized Maia Sandu, referring to the timelines discussed during the visit of European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos to Moldova.

"I consider a realistic timeframe to conclude negotiations by late 2027. Two and a half years to finalize negotiations. Then, in 2028, when all EU member states will need to ratify our agreement. We will complete this process by the end of the current European Commission's term. We have seen that this Commission supports us, we have heard how much the commissioner supports and desires our accession. She said that of all the states, Moldova is advancing the fastest in all European integration processes. So, it's real: we can conclude the negotiations by December 2027. There are all the premises for European integration to happen, for Moldova to join the European Union in the coming years. We are not talking about ten-fifteen years, but it all depends on us to ensure parliamentary support and to continue working in all institutions: ministries, agencies," the president explained.

Moreover, the head of state expressed hope that a solution would be found in Brussels for the resistance posed by Hungary towards Ukraine.

"Hungary cannot indefinitely block this process. I hope a solution will be identified. If we look at EU principles, it's clearly established that the process depends on the concrete steps a country has made, meaning it's a merit-based process. Hungary and other states should proceed based on these principles," Maia Sandu emphasized.

The Republic of Moldova submitted its EU membership application in March 2022. In June of the same year, our country became a candidate for accession, and in December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine.

On May 9-11, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visited Moldova. She noted that Moldova could become a EU member in three years and ten months, betting with Prime Minister Dorin Recean, who had announced a four-year timeline for accession.

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