Paun Rohovei: Moldova’s Path to Europe Aligns with Ukraine’s National Interest

The European future and European integration of the Republic of Moldova are an element of Ukraine’s national interests. The place of the two countries in the “united Europe”, Kyiv and Chisinau share common values, strive for development and prosperity. This was stated by Ukrainian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Moldova Paun Rohovei in an interview on the programme “New Week with Anatolie Golea” on TV8 on 21 May, tv8.md reported. According to the diplomat, Ukraine and Moldova are on the path of European integration, and this is not just a political course, but a civilizational choice. “We have embarked on this path and we are moving forward. We have achievements and this is highly appreciated in Brussels, as well as by our other partners. This is our civilizational choice. Our place is in a united Europe. We share common values, strive for respect for human rights, freedom of movement and development of a competitive environment. Because it is in a competitive environment that development and prosperity are possible,” Rohovei emphasized. He added that Ukraine did not see any alternative to Moldova’s European future. And it does not forecast that Chisinau might change its geopolitical vector after the parliamentary election this autumn. “Every citizen of the Republic of Moldova has the right to choose. But I do not think that Moldovans can consciously choose a path that can lead to such tragedies as in the 1940s, when people were loaded into wagons in the middle of the night and taken to Siberia. I think people in Moldova want to develop, move freely, earn money and live in conditions where their rights are respected,” the ambassador said. In response to a question regarding the statements by former Moldovan President Igor Dodon on Crimea’s belonging, Rohovei said that Ukraine has a consistent position and has never questioned the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its partners, including Moldova. He added that such statements were unacceptable, but despite the fact that they were made, the countries were moving forward in the development of their relations and were building a constructive dialogue based on mutual respect. In the context of a possible division of Ukraine’s and Moldova European paths due to Hungary’s veto on the start of the negotiation process with Kyiv, Rohovei emphasized that it is not a catastrophe, as Budapest has not made a decision yet and diplomacy is working in this direction. Speaking about the “one package” in which Moldova and Ukraine are being considered by the EU, he said that each country will be evaluated separately in the final stage, so Chisinau’s successes on the European track should not be devalued.