Expert warns Moldova must decouple from regional risks
The Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Union depends strictly on the pace of domestic reforms and Chisinau's ability to build robust bilateral alliances. Following the opening of negotiations on the fundamental clusters, Black Sea region expert Mihai Isac warned that membership is a merit-based bureaucratic process, not a guaranteed outcome.
Speaking on the "În Context" program on Moldova 1, Isac emphasized that while recent political shifts in the region have been favorable, each candidate state must follow its own trajectory. "The final integration of Moldova does not depend on Ukraine; it depends solely on us," Isac stated, highlighting the need for institutional autonomy.
Strategic bilateral diplomacy
The expert noted that Moldova has previously suffered from collateral diplomatic tension between Budapest and Kyiv. To mitigate future risks, Chisinau must move beyond its relationship with Brussels and engage directly with individual EU capitals. Active diplomacy in Paris, Berlin, and Bucharest is essential to securing long-term support.
Isac cautioned that the EU remains pragmatic and wary of "importing" states with significant vulnerabilities to foreign influence. He stressed that Moldova must demonstrate a consolidated reform structure to prove it is no longer susceptible to the external pressures seen elsewhere in Eastern Europe.
Building a strategic value proposition
Moldova is currently ranked as the top-performing candidate state compared to the Western Balkans. This position provides a strategic window of opportunity. However, Isac argues that Chisinau must "sell" its success story by convincing European political forces of the strategic advantages Moldova brings to the bloc.
The accession process involves aligning national legislation with 35 negotiating chapters across six thematic clusters. While Romanian MEP Dan Barna recently noted that regional developments could accelerate negotiations, Isac insists that only consistent domestic effort and sophisticated bilateral outreach will ensure the final goal.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
