The President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, today officially requested the country’s entry into the European Union (EU), following the example of Ukraine and Georgia, two other European states’ former Soviet republics.
“Today we signed the application for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the EU”, said the Europeanist president before signing the document at a televised ceremony in Chisinau.
“The request was addressed to Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, who holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU,” explained Sandu, according to the Unimedia news portal.
Moldova formally presents its candidacy to the EU on the same day as Georgia and in the midst of the Russian offensive against the pro-European government of Ukraine, and after the French executive warned that these two countries could be the President’s next military targets. Russian, Vladimir Putin.
“We want to live in peace, democracy and prosperity, being part of the free world”, said Sandu, who praised the “serene and determined” response of the Moldovan people “at a time when real danger is knocking at the door”.
Regarding the moment of the request, the Moldovan President maintained that some decisions “must be taken urgently and decisively to seize the opportunity presented by the change in the world”, in a clear reference to the ‘earthquake’ caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Moldova became an independent country after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
The pro-Russian forces present in a part of their territory known as Transnistria refused to sever their ties with Moscow and declared, with the support of the Kremlin, a “republic” of their own in the region.
Despite not being recognized by any country, Transnistria continues to be controlled by rebel forces, which are protected by a Russian military contingent permanently deployed there.
In the early hours of February 24, Russia launched a three-pronged military offensive in Ukraine, with ground forces and bombings in several cities.
Kiev authorities have so far accounted for more than 2,000 civilian deaths, including children, and, according to the UN, the attacks have already caused more than a million refugees in Poland, Hungary, Moldova and Romania, among other countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the “special military operation” in Ukraine with the need to demilitarize the neighboring country, saying it was the only way for Russia to defend itself and guaranteeing that the offensive would last as long as necessary.
The attack was condemned by the international community at large, and the European Union and the United States, among others, responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and strengthening economic sanctions to further isolate Moscow.
Source: with agencies
