Greece to help Moldova in EU accession process

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced his readiness to provide technical assistance to Moldova on its path to joining the European Union at a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Dorin Recean.

He also stated that Greece supports prospects of Moldova joining the EU, writes Vedomosti publication. During the meeting, the prime ministers of the two countries discussed bilateral cooperation with an emphasis on transport and energy, since Greece, as a supplier of natural gas, contributes to Moldova’s energy security.

The conversation was also on the expansion of the “vertical corridor” of supplies by joining Moldova, Slovakia and UkraineThe Prime Minister of Moldova stated:

“25% of the gas consumed by Moldova last year was supplied by Greece. In April last year, we made our first purchase of gas from the LNG regasification terminal in Greece. This is a great start.”

On June 21, Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova, signed a decree on the start of negotiations on the country's accession to EU. Cristina Gherasimova, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, has been appointed as Moldova's chief negotiator. Maia Sandu noted that Moldova's goal is to prepare the country for EU membership by 2030. According to her, the country's membership in the European Union is the only path of development that can ensure peace and well-being for the country's citizens.

Moldova has been granted candidate status to join the EU in 2022. In May, Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for Administration and Budget, said that Moldova could become a member of the EU by 2030 if the country's authorities demonstrate their commitment to the rule of law and adopt reforms affecting the justice system.

Johannes Hahn also expressed confidence that negotiations on the republic's accession to the EU will begin in the near future. On June 14, the permanent representatives of the EU countries agreed to begin negotiations on Moldova's accession. The Belgian presidency will convene the first intergovernmental conferences on June 25.

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