Thousands of Moldovans rally in capital for EU membership

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Tens of thousands of Moldovans attended a rally Sunday in the capital Chisinau at which a resolution was adopted by the “European Moldova” Assembly highlighting the country’s aspirations to become a member of the European Union.

“We, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, have gathered on 21 May 2023 on the Great National Assembly Square at a decisive moment for the country’s fate in order to affirm the Republic of Moldova’s aspiration to become a full member of the European Union and to contribute to this objective, taking in consideration that we are European historically, geographically and culturally as well as through the fundamental values we share. The indisputable right to guarantee a European, democratic, free and prosperous future for the Republic of Moldova belongs to the people of the Republic of Moldova,” said an excerpt from the resolution.

The resolution further said that EU membership is the only way to bring stability to the country and allow future generations to achieve their potential and modernize Moldova.

The resolution called for amending the Moldovan constitution to establish the country’s EU accession as “irreversible and definite” while also asking the country’s political actors to open talks for EU membership and strengthen state institutions in order to guarantee the country’s accession to the bloc.

It also called for expanding “the international context of the negotiations for a peaceful, definitive resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, as well as to have the EU accession process as a catalyst to increase Moldovan citizens’ standards of living and welfare in the reintegrated Transnistrian region.”

The resolution also called for ensuring “the interconnection of all infrastructure systems to the European market – electric, natural gas transport, road, railway, communications – to exclude any type of blackmailing and ensure the independence of the Republic of Moldova so it can develop freely and without constraints.”

“Considering the desire of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to transform their country on its European path, we call on the European Union’s institutions to continue supporting our country and to accept the Republic of Moldova in the European family once complying with the accession conditionalities. Joining the European Union is the path firmly chosen by the Republic of Moldova,” it added.

On April 10, Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced the launching of an initiative to convene a rally of citizens on May 21 “to tell the world that we are Europeans and that this is the path we have chosen."