The president of Moldova urges the European Union to develop “innovative” approaches to overcome the deadlock and accelerate Moldova’s accession to the EU.
The European Union must explore “innovative” strategies to resolve the political deadlock and hasten Moldova’s accession process, President Maia Sandu told Euronews.
Sandu, who secured a second term in the September election, campaigned on a pro-European agenda, prioritizing Moldova’s EU membership. Prior to the vote, she criticized Russian meddling and vote-buying tactics.
According to Sandu, EU membership represents the strongest assurance for her nation of 2.4 million to preserve its sovereignty. Moldova’s election attracted global interest, seen as a critical moment in the West-Russia rivalry.
“Our countries must not be exploited by authoritarian powers, which is precisely the risk if we remain outside the European Union,” Sandu said during The Europe Conversation at an EU enlargement summit hosted by Euronews in Brussels. “This is essential.”
Moldova submitted its EU membership application in 2022 and was granted candidate status that June, alongside Ukraine. Both nations aim to initiate the so-called “clusters” — specific sets of criteria required to advance negotiations. All 27 EU member states must unanimously affirm that these conditions are fulfilled before proceeding to subsequent stages.
This month, the European Commission released a report praising Moldova’s reform momentum to align with EU standards and advised opening three clusters for talks promptly, plus three more before year-end.
“The Commission will strive to enable the European Council to initiate all cluster openings before year’s end,” the document stated, recognizing Moldova’s efforts amid “unprecedented Russian interference” ahead of September’s vote.
Nevertheless, Moldova faces a precarious situation requiring careful navigation.
Hungarian veto
Moldova’s candidacy is linked to Ukraine’s. Although accession is merit-based and each application evaluated individually, Brussels has avoided advancing Moldova’s bid without Ukraine’s progress, given their close geographic and strategic ties.
Kyiv has warned that separating the two applications may send an adverse message, emphasizing that Ukraine applied earlier.
Ukraine’s process remains stalled as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continues to block it. Orbán advocates against Ukraine’s EU membership, proposing instead a “strategic partnership,” a stance rejected by Kyiv and most EU states.
When asked by Euronews about altering rules to move forward, Sandu supported merit-based assessments but indicated that the EU must devise political solutions to resolve the unanimity and veto deadlock.
Beyond fulfilling technical negotiation chapters with the Commission, all 27 EU leaders forming the European Council need to unanimously consent for a candidate to become a full EU member.
“I recognize the complexity, but the EU should innovate internally, as it serves its own interests,» she told Euronews. “We are working diligently to meet EU criteria, and this effort deserves acknowledgment.”
Moldova aims to conclude accession talks by 2028, a timeline the Commission considers “ambitious yet feasible.”
António Costa, head of the European Council overseeing the 27 member states, urged EU leaders to maintain the enlargement momentum, warning against getting “trapped by painful historical legacies.”