Reforms first, benefits next: Moldova’s path to EU accession
The benefits of EU membership will gradually become evident to Moldovan citizens as the government implements necessary reforms and progresses in the negotiation process. While some tangible advantages are already being experienced, significant improvements in living standards will depend on the success of the reforms implemented by Chișinău.
In the opinion of Grigore Guzun, a community expert from WatchDog.MD, the current period requires us to focus less on immediate benefits and more on the necessary changes to align with European standards.
"We each have work to do and a significant effort ahead of us. Naturally, the benefits for citizens largely depend on the reforms implemented by the Chisinau administration. If these reforms are well thought out and consolidated, then salaries will increase, pensions will rise, and we will also attract investments," the expert explained in an interview during the "Zi de Zi" program on Radio Moldova. This discussion took place in the context of the second European Union-Republic of Moldova summit held on June 22 in Brussels.
Guzun believes the summit sends an important political signal to both the authorities in Chisinau and society, indicating that the process of European integration is advancing rapidly.
"The significance of this moment and this summit is particularly great, especially considering that developments are moving at an unimaginable speed. If we had discussed this six months ago, before the elections in Poland, this speed was hardly on the radar for either Chisinau or Brussels," said Grigore Guzun.
Brussels continues to emphasize the need for judicial reform and strengthening the fight against corruption, as these areas are considered essential for any candidate state. According to Guzun, past experiences with EU enlargements show that these issues are among the most challenging and crucial.
"If the judiciary is not reformed and does not keep pace with progress, and if the fight against corruption is not prioritized, we are effectively sabotaging the implementation of European Union legislation," he explained.
He also noted that progress in other areas could be jeopardized if the Republic of Moldova regresses in the "Fundamental Values" cluster. Guzun recalled the example of Romania, which remained under monitoring in the justice sector for several years, and of Hungary, which faced the suspension of some European funds due to rule-of-law issues.
"The faster we implement these reforms, the better it will be for us. By doing so, we will be able to access European Union funds that can benefit the economic development of our country," the expert stated.
In addition to justice, the Republic of Moldova has also fallen behind in environmental protection. According to Guzun, reports from the European Commission indicate limited progress in this sector, despite the European Union's growing emphasis on environmental policies and efforts to combat climate change.
In the near future, one of the critical indicators of the progress in negotiations will be the opening of additional negotiation clusters. The expert noted that this step will show whether the Republic of Moldova is maintaining its reform efforts and if its relationship with Brussels continues to advance.
"If the other clusters are not opened, it suggests that there are issues in the relationship between Chișinău and Brussels, or perhaps the Chișinău administration is not implementing the necessary reforms," Guzun explained.
Additionally, the expert mentioned that, along with harmonizing national legislation with European standards, the negotiations also focus on specific conditions for integrating the Moldovan economy into the European single market. From export quotas for agricultural products to transitional periods for certain economic sectors, the authorities are striving to secure the most favorable conditions for both producers and consumers in the Republic of Moldova prior to actual accession to the European Union.
