Marta Kos: Chisinau could conclude the negotiation process on accession to the European Union by 2029
The Republic of Moldova could conclude the process of negotiations on accession to the European Union by 2029, if the authorities in Chisinau keep the pace of reforms and alignment with European standards. The statement was made by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, who answered questions from Moldovan journalists in Strasbourg. Marta Kos expressed hope that this will happen by the end of the five-year mandate, which she took over last year.
“If the Republic of Moldova fails to complete the accession negotiations with the European Union by the end of my mandate, I will consider it a failure. I am confident that we will manage to conclude the technical part and if you are as insistent as you are now, then we will manage to conclude the negotiations by 2029”, declared the European Commissioner for Enlargement.
Marta Kos appreciated Chisinau’s efforts to continue reforms despite Russian interference, but also the regional situation, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The accession process in which the Republic of Moldova is involved is proceeding at record speed. The Republic of Moldova has consistently demonstrated determination to continue reforms, despite challenging circumstances and foreign interference. I will be the happiest person in the world, or in Europe when we open the first cluster, then the second and sixth, but it is important to close those that have already been opened for negotiations”, added the European official.
Referring to the situation in the Moldovan energy system, the Commissioner for Enlargement spoke about the need to ensure the country's energy independence. Marta Kos pointed out that this goal could be achieved in the next two years.
“We could talk about an independent energy sector and Russia would no longer have leverage for blackmail. To understand how important this is, for comparison: the Baltic countries needed 15 years to consolidate their energy system and achieve energy independence”, said the European Commissioner for Enlargement.
