European Parliament president in parliament's plenum says European Union needs Moldova, just as Moldova needs European Union

Moldova has demonstrated ‘’courage, determination, and political maturity’’ in its European journey, and the European Union is ready to do ‘’absolutely everything,’’ in order to support it in opening accession negotiations. President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola today made statements to this effect at a plenary meeting of the Moldovan parliament.

Metsola said that the country's reform process was ‘’remarkable,’’ and the completion of the screening and the adoption of roadmaps for the rule of law confirm Chisinau’s ‘’institutional maturity.’’

‘’By the end of this year, despite all threats and all attempts at destabilization, Moldova is advancing decisively in the accession process. (...) You have eliminated energy dependence on Russia and demonstrated what freedom means. You have chosen Europe, showing that even when the pressure is high, a united nation can stand firm. I am aware that this clear, pro-European choice has not been at all simple,’’ Metsola noted.

The European official assured that Moldova would not be alone on its path to joining the European Union:

‘’Moldova's future is European, which means you will never be alone on this journey, no matter how difficult. You have my full commitment in this regard. If I have not been clear enough until now, let me repeat: the European Parliament will do whatever it takes to stay by your side in this path towards becoming member of the European Union.’’

At the same time, Roberta Metsola announced the official inauguration of the European Parliament's Office in Chisinau, a signal of the EU's commitment to the Moldova and the Eastern Partnership. ‘’This office will be here, day by day, in order to support you in all your accession efforts,’’ emphasized the EP President.

Metsola stressed that the European Parliament was the first EU institution to request candidate country status for Moldova and consistently condemned foreign interferences aimed at destabilizing the country. ‘’We have provided 1.9 billion euros for reforms and will continue to invest in Moldova's integration into the European single market,’’ she added.

The EP President emphasized that the expansion of the European Union remained the ‘’most powerful geopolitical tool’’ of Europe, stressing that an ‘’expanded European Union, based on clear objectives, criteria and merits, represents the best investment in peace, stability, security and prosperity on the continent.’’

‘’Now, the European Union must respond with the same clarity, courage and confidence in our common future. The time has come to open accession negotiations, and at the same time, analyze how this step will change our way of working. What works in a Europe of 27 states may not work identically in a Europe of 30. We must be prepared,’’ Metsola specified.

In conclusion, she declared that ‘’the European Parliament cannot and will not close the door on this dream — a dream that will bring us together’’:

'The European Union needs Moldova, just as much as Moldova needs the European Union. The doors of Europe are open and the time to start accession negotiations is now,’’ Roberta Metsola added.