Moldova Parliament charts path for EU integration
On December 8th, Moldovan and European Parliamentarians met in Chisinau to discuss the crucial role of the Moldovan Parliament in the country's ongoing European Union integration process.
The seminar was organised collaboratively by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and the European Parliament's Democracy Support and Electoral Coordination Group.
Doina Gherman, Chair of the Moldovan Parliament's Foreign Policy and European Integration Committee, opened the seminar by highlighting its connection to a July visit by a group of Moldovan lawmakers to the European Parliament. The visit focused on exploring ways the EU could further support Moldova's integration journey.
Gherman emphasised that Moldova's efforts currently revolve around two key processes:
1. Implementing the nine recommendations made by the European Commission: The Commission's recent report noted the impressive progress made by Moldova, with a 94% implementation rate for these recommendations.
2. Negotiating EU accession chapters: The Commission has recognized positive advancements in this area as well.
"While we are encouraged by the report's findings, we recognize the importance of continued dedication and hard work," Gherman stated. "The Parliament, with its responsibility to monitor the process, is well positioned to play a proactive role in moving forward."
Vlad Batrîncea, Vice President of the Moldovan Parliament, stressed the importance of ensuring that all citizens feel the positive impact of the EU integration process. He underscored the need for transparency throughout the process: "When legislation impacting crucial sectors like justice, business, agriculture, and others is being considered, it's essential to involve and consult with those directly affected by these reforms. The quality of both the reforms and the resulting laws depend on this participatory approach. We consistently emphasise the importance of professional legislation in this regard."
Dragoș Tudorache, a member of the European Parliament and coordinator of activities supporting parliamentary democracy in Moldova, commended Moldova's significant progress in its integration process since signing the Association Agreement with the EU. He highlighted Moldova's achievement of candidate status for EU membership in 2022 as a tangible outcome of this progress.
Tudorache further acknowledged the significant role played by the Moldovan Parliament in supporting government-led reforms and advancing the EU integration process.
The seminar consisted of three sessions focusing on various aspects, including:
- The role of Parliament and parliamentary diplomacy in the context of EU integration.
- The role of parliamentary committees for European integration in the accession process.
- Sharing of best practices between Moldovan parliamentarians and their counterparts from EU countries and experts.
The event serves as part of the broader activities conducted under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2021 between the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and the European Parliament. This memorandum aims to solidify Moldova's path towards EU integration.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
