“The EU and I”: Expert says laws alone aren’t enough without working institutions
The process of European integration in the Republic of Moldova is already having an impact at the local level; however, it remains not fully explained and would be challenging to implement without functional institutions and genuine dialogue between central and local authorities. Mayors and public policy experts emphasize that the success of negotiations with the European Union relies not only on laws and schedules but also on the administration’s ability to deliver tangible results for citizens.
From the perspective of local authorities, European integration is evident through concrete projects that impact people's lives. Valeriu Popa, the mayor of Sângera and its suburbs, Revaca and Dobrogea, shared this insight during the first edition of the show “The EU and I” on Moldova 1 TV.
"Citizens expect quality services. We all live in cities and villages, and much depends on the quality of services provided at the local level," the mayor stated.
He emphasized that European funds and EU-supported programs, such as "European Village," "Europe is Near," and initiatives carried out by Regional Development Agencies, have enabled some localities to attract investments that exceed their annual budgets.
"There are localities with budgets of three to four million lei that have implemented projects worth five to six million. In those areas, people clearly understand what European integration means," Popa commented on the public television channel.
At the same time, the mayor highlighted the importance of administrative capacity and the professionalization of local officials, arguing that without these qualities, European funds cannot be utilized effectively.
Moreover, he pointed out the lack of consistent dialogue with central authorities, noting that local administrations are responsible for implementing many reforms needed for the accession process.
"During my six years of service, I have only met with the prime minister once, at an event for all the mayors from the suburbs. There is minimal communication with mayors, especially those from larger localities," Popa explained.
The integration process: Too technical for the population
From the perspective of civil society, a significant challenge in the accession process is the "distance" between the technical language used in negotiations and citizens' everyday lives, as noted by writer and journalist Paula Erizanu.
“It is very difficult to convey this technical process in accessible Romanian. Even I find it challenging to understand all the stages. We often encounter English terms that are not meaningful to people,” Erizanu remarked.
She believes the process requires more creative communication, including symbolic events at the local level that would connect European investments to citizens' direct experiences.
On the same show, Iulian Groza, the executive director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, noted that the real difficulties in the accession process relate more to the state's capacity to implement laws than to their adoption.
“If we consider the enlargement methodology, the chapters targeting fundamental values are the most challenging. We are discussing justice, public administration, market economy, and human rights,” Groza explained.
He stated that these chapters are monitored throughout the negotiations and evaluated annually using clear indicators. This creates constant pressure on institutions and requires effective administration capable of delivering results, not just promises.
"It is not enough to adopt laws. We need functioning institutions, such as the Superior Council of Magistracy and the Superior Council of Prosecutors, as well as administrations capable of applying European regulations," the expert emphasized.
In this context, Groza mentioned that the accession process provides an additional guarantee for reforms because European standards are clear and measurable.
The Republic of Moldova is currently engaged in accession negotiations with the European Union and holds the status of a candidate country. This process officially began in March 2022 when the Republic of Moldova submitted its application for EU membership. Just three months later, in June 2022, the European Council granted the country candidate status. A critical milestone was achieved in December 2023, when European leaders decided to open accession negotiations.
In June 2024, the negotiations were officially launched during the first intergovernmental conference, which took place concurrently for both the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The year 2025 primarily focused on the screening process, which involves a detailed analysis of the compatibility of national legislation with EU regulations and institutional preparations for negotiations.
By the end of 2025, technical discussions began on the first negotiation chapters, particularly those concerning fundamental values, the internal market, and external relations.
