INTERVIEW on Moldova 1 TV| Ines Domingos on Moldova’s 2030 EU accession: ‘Maintain the pace, and you will succeed’
Portugal acknowledges the progress made by the authorities in Chisinau and reaffirms its support for Moldova's journey towards European Union (EU) membership. "A lot of work is needed from both sides, and if you maintain this momentum, you will succeed," stated Ines Domingos, the Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal, in an exclusive interview with Moldova 1 TV.
The Republic of Moldova has made extraordinary efforts in a short time, demonstrating both commitment and tangible results, even under challenging conditions. I am very optimistic—if you maintain this pace, you will achieve your objectives. Another indication that progress is being made is that the EU and the European Commission have successfully collaborated with the Republic of Moldova on the technical side to advance the process," declared Ines Domingos, the Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal, during her appearance on the show IN CONTEXT on Moldova 1 TV.
Regarding the timeline that projects the conclusion of negotiations with the Republic of Moldova by 2028 and accession by 2030, Domingos described this as an "ambitious and achievable" timeline, though it requires "a lot of work on both sides." She noted that "if progress is made on the technical side, political decisions will follow more easily."
Domingos emphasized that the mood within the European Union, particularly concerning enlargement and the Republic of Moldova, is very positive. She has observed a much faster opening towards candidate states in the last two years, alongside efforts to accelerate the process.
From the perspective of the Portuguese government, Ines Domingos stated that they are "very involved in the relationship with the Republic of Moldova and support the accession of candidate states." She affirmed, "I can say that the government and politicians from all political backgrounds fully support the European path of the Republic of Moldova."
She described the hybrid war facing the Republic of Moldova as a "a worrying threat" and noted that these threats come from various sources.
"In Portugal, we understand the situation well and support any solution that enhances the European Union's capacity to be more resilient against hybrid threats. We are very open to these initiatives. We believe that security should focus, particularly at this time, on the eastern flank and across the entire union. Hence, the tools we develop must be accessible to everyone, adopting a comprehensive approach since the challenges arise from multiple directions," said the Secretary of State in Lisbon.
In the same interview, Ines Domingos expressed that Moldovans represent a "strong" and "well-integrated" community, stating that "they are well received in Portugal and contribute significantly."
"I think Moldovans are doing very well. Those living in Portugal are integrated but maintain their connections with the Republic of Moldova. This is beneficial for everyone, as interpersonal relations are fundamental—they form the basis of relations between states. Ultimately, countries exist because of the relationships between their people," concluded Ines Domingos during her interview on the public television station.
We would like to remind you that on Friday, November 14, Ines Domingos, the Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal, made an official visit to the Republic of Moldova.
During a joint press conference with Cristina Gherasimov, the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, she highlighted that Portugal's experience—marking 30 years since its accession to the EU next year—can serve as a valuable example for the Republic of Moldova.
Ines Domingos reaffirmed Lisbon's support for Moldova's European aspirations and encouraged the country's authorities to continue their institutional reforms, emphasizing that while these reforms may take time and perseverance, they are essential for progress.
