Gherasimov on Transnistria: EU Doesn’t Want to Bring Conflicts to Its Territory

Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov stated that the EU does not wish to import conflicts onto its territory, and that the Transnistrian issue remains a sensitive topic for Moldova’s European path. She emphasized that the country’s reintegration and European integration are parallel processes, but it is in Chisinau’s interest for them to proceed simultaneously, writes moldova1.md. “It is very important to note that, as a country, we must first and foremost be interested in reintegration, in the reunification of the country, prior to accession. So, this process should not depend on Brussels. Because our negotiating strength – both in terms of population and territory – will only reinforce our decisive role within the European Union,” said Cristina Gherasimov. Resolving the Transnistrian conflict is not a formal condition for accession, though this issue may be raised by some Member States at the final stage of negotiations, acknowledges the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration. “The European Union, of course, has a precedent in the case of Cyprus, where a country with a conflict on its territory joined the European Union. But it is clear that the EU does not want to import conflicts onto its territory. Because the European Union is a space of peace. Accordingly, it is in the interests of both the member states and ours to manage to reintegrate the country before accession,” Gherasimov noted. At the same time, Cristina Gherasimov pointed out that external events, particularly international conflicts, could affect the pace of the EU’s enlargement process, including Moldova’s accession, as the security agenda becomes a priority for member states.