Renew Europe Group Calls on EU to Grant Moldova EU Candidate Status Based on Merit

In addition, the group called on the EU to grant Moldova its EU candidate status based on merit, as the Treaty on European Union determines, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

“In the annual progress report, we condemn as inadmissible the weaponisation by Russia of its gas exports in order to put political pressure on Chisinau,” the press release issued by the Renew Europe Group, reads.

The group also urges the EU institutions to include the Moldovian country in their plans to gain energy independence from Russia, including potential collective gas purchases and increasing the financial and technical support to guarantee Moldova’s resilience from such pressure.

The Vice-Chair at Renew Europe Group and the EU Parliament’s rapporteur on Moldova, MEP Dragos Tudorache, noted Moldova is in a moment of historical inflection, as all decisions made now can risk the influencing the future of this country.

“The Republic of Moldova must not become a nation sacrificed in the name of geopolitical games. Moldova has chosen the path of progress, it has chosen the path of freedom, the path of democracy, and last but not least, it has chosen a European path,” MEP Tudorache said.

Renew Europe Group, earlier this month, called on the EU to send a strong message to Russia by granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. The group had noted they recognize Moldova’s efforts toward membership in the EU and that the latter must continue supporting Chisinau’s effort to cope with the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

The Moldovan President, Maia Sandu, previously addressed the European Parliament has requested support for her country’s intentions to join the EU, pointing out that ‘Moldova belongs in the EU.’

During her speech, President Sandu urged the European countries to support her country’s aspirations after Moldova officially applied for EU membership in March.

The country is currently dealing with an influx of refugees from Ukraine, as a total of half a million Ukrainians have crossed the border, while 90,000 remain in Moldova, as President Sandu pointed out.

Together with Moldova, Albania, Georgia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey are also candidates to join the EU, while Kosovo and Bosnia, and Hercegovina are potential candidates. On the other hand, despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has also filed its application for EU Membership on February 28, four days after it was attacked by Russian troops.