March 4, 2022
2 mins read

Moldova applies for EU membership

The application will be sent to Brussels in the coming days, the president said…reports Asian Lite News

Moldova has officially applied for membership of the European Union, a week after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began.

The announcement came after the European Parliament expressed backing for a similar move by Kyiv.

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said in a statement on Thursday that the country had signed “a request to join the European Union”.

“We want to live in peace, prosperity, be part of the free world,” she said. “While some decisions take time, others must be made quickly and decisively, and taking advantage of the opportunities that come with a changing world.”

Sandu, the prime minister and the parliamentary speaker all signed the document during a briefing in the capital, Chisinau, where pro-Russian and pro-EU politicians have vied for control since Moldova won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The application will be sent to Brussels in the coming days, the president said.

Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu hailed the announcement as “a day future generations will proudly relate to, it is the moment our country has irreversibly anchored itself in the European space”.

Moldova, one of the continent’s poorest countries, signed an association agreement with the EU in 2014, aimed at aligning it with the union’s political and economic standards. However, it has not received a guarantee of membership.

Fellow ex-Soviet republic Georgia also formally applied for membership of the bloc on Thursday.

“History has deemed the European choice of the Georgian people as its strategic aim,” Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said after signing the application letter.

Georgia last year had announced its intention to apply for EU membership in 2024.

Efforts from ex-Soviet countries to build closer ties with the West have long angered Russia. Moscow is fiercely opposed to the eastwards expansion of the EU and NATO, which it sees as a direct threat to Russia’s security.

The West has expressed concerns that Moldova and Georgia risk becoming possible targets for the Kremlin after Ukraine.

“We stand with Moldova and Georgia to defend their sovereignty and security,” French President Emmanuel Macron said last week, while his Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France was “worried” about a possible Russian military offensive against the ex-Soviet nations.

The process of accession to the EU is expected to be long and involve large-scale reforms, provided the countries win candidate status.

In addition, all existing members have a veto on new additions.

ALSO READ-Beijing denies demanding Moscow to delay invasion

Previous Story

Taliban urges Afghan investors to return

Next Story

Melody is back with soul tugging music

Latest from -Top News

BRICS must break the digital chains

BRICS nations need to build consensus, balance innovation and social justice by reinforcing the digital sovereignty of Global South, including evenly distribution of benefits through AI, writes Baidya Bikash Basu BRICS, the

Modi begins landmark Argentina visit

First Indian PM to visit in 57 years; economic ties, lithium and trade top agenda Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a historic visit to Argentina on Saturday by paying homage to

Texas flash floods kill at least 24; Trump vows help

President calls tragedy ‘shocking’ as search for missing continues overnight At least 24 people have died in Kerr County, Texas, after catastrophic flooding swept through the region, prompting a large-scale rescue and
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Moldova next on Russia’s list?

Putin’s war-mongering sidekick addressed security officials Wednesday while standing in

EU chief congratulates Modi for successful G20 presidency

The 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit was held in New Delhi