Moldova reveals plan for European integration with troubled Transnistria

Moldova’s accession to the European Union and the return of the Transnistria region to Chisinau’s control must take place simultaneously so that the Russian Federation cannot block the country’s progress toward the EU. This was stated by Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi.

The head of the Foreign Ministry emphasized that artificially separating these two tracks or waiting for a complete resolution of the Transnistrian conflict before joining the bloc would give the Kremlin direct leverage and a de facto veto over Moldova’s European future. 

Commenting on the level of Western assistance in countering Russian pressure, Popșoi noted the extraordinary support from the EU and its member states in recent years, particularly in the area of energy security. He also assured that the government is doing everything possible to ensure that absolutely all citizens of the country, including residents of the left bank of the Dniester, can benefit from future European integration.

The official’s remarks were quoted by NewsMaker.

Sandu called on the EU to immediately open all negotiation chapters for Moldova.

The EU responded by addressing the question of whether Ukraine and Moldova would join simultaneously.