Moldova, Romania coordinate efforts to advance EU accession negotiations

The members of the parliamentary commission for European integration paid a working visit to Bucharest on June 8-9, where they had a string of meetings with Romanian officials. The discussions focused on advancing the process of accession to the European Union, preparing for access to pre-accession funds and capitalizing on Romania’s experience along its European path.

The parliamentary delegation included MPs Marcel Spatari, Ana Calinici, Angela Munteanu-Pojoga, and Elena Gritco.

During the visit, the Moldovan officials had meetings with representatives of Romania’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, as well as with members of the European Affairs Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The discussions covered both the progress made by Moldova in the EU accession process and the next stages of the negotiations.

At the meeting with Ana Tinca, State Secretary at Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sides discussed the developments achieved by Moldova on its path to European integration and the constant support provided by Romania. They also addressed the prospect of opening negotiations on Cluster 1 – “Fundamental Values,” in the context of Cyprus’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Particular emphasis was placed on mechanisms for accessing pre-accession funds. During discussions with Kelemen Attila, State Secretary at the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, the Romanian side presented Romania’s experience in managing EU-funded projects and expressed readiness to continue providing support through expertise and training.

The Moldovan delegation also held meetings with representatives of the relevant parliamentary committees of Romania. The sides discussed institutional preparedness for absorbing pre-accession funds, strengthening administrative capacities and making use of the experience Romania had accumulated in its EU accession process.

Marcel Spatari, chair of the commission for European integration, underlined that Moldova had made significant progress in the accession process and was at an advanced stage of the negotiations.

“We have completed one year and four months of bilateral screening, which places us among the most advanced states currently in the accession process. We benefit from the openness and support of the European Commission; yet, challenges related to institutional capacity remain. In the context, we are counting on Romania’s support to accelerate reforms and prepare for the next stages,” Spatari said.

Also in the Romanian capital, members of the commission for European integration met MP Mircea Rosca, Chair of the Committee for Romanians Abroad, and lawmaker Andrei Daniel Gheorghe, a member of the committee. The parties discussed joint projects implemented in Moldova with Romania’s support, as well as recent developments in the process of European integration. The Romanian officials reiterated their support for the country’s European accession goal.