EP Committee backs Moldova EU, trade goals
The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted its Annual Report on the Republic of Moldova on Tuesday, May 13.
The document includes several amendments proposed by a group of MEPs from the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the EPP Group. The report welcomes the commitment of the authorities in Chisinau to finalize the screening process of national legislation in the context of EU accession and to open the first negotiation chapters in the coming months.
MEPs call on the European Commission to provide more consistent support to the authorities in Chisinau in achieving these objectives, in order to accelerate the European integration process.
"In the context of threats from Russia to the European Union and neighbouring countries, the rapid integration of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine must become a strategic priority for the EU," highlighted MEP Siegfried Mureșan.
Furthermore, MEPs call for permanent trade liberalization between the Republic of Moldova and the EU. The measure would replace the current temporary liberalization, introduced after the start of the war in Ukraine, and would provide more stability to Moldovan agricultural producers. According to the MEPs, such a decision would increase economic predictability and investor confidence in the Republic of Moldova.
"Temporary liberalization has already led to a significant increase in exports of Moldovan agricultural products to the EU, to the benefit of local producers," Mureșan said.
The report is set for the final vote in the European Parliament plenary in June.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
