Adrian Băluțel
The official says that the Republic of Moldova must view European integration first and foremost as a process of internal transformation, with accession to the European Union being a consequence of the reforms carried out.
“But our focus or interest in European integration is, firstly, to ensure security and stability in the Republic of Moldova and to protect the Republic of Moldova from Russian influence, and, secondly, to achieve economic growth and ensure the well-being of our citizens. So, these are the two elements on which we must have focused the entire administrative machinery in recent years. And if we succeed in this, we will also achieve member state status,” said Băluțel on the ZdG podcast.
The Chair of the Committee on European Integration believes that it is more important for the process of European integration to be approached through the prism of the country’s internal transformations.
According to Băluțel, it is reforms and the ability to attract and utilise European funds that can have a direct impact on living standards and the economy.
“Because that, in fact, ensures quality of life and that ensures economic growth. And that, consequently, means we will become members,” he said.
“No country that has joined the European Union has seen its standard of living decline, nor have the people of those countries been worse off after accession,” the MP added.
Referring to the European path of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, Băluțel rejected the idea of a ‘separation’ between the two integration processes, but emphasised that the assessment must be made on the basis of each country’s progress. The official noted that this approach had also been confirmed at the level of the European Commission’s leadership:
“It’s just that these things do not run counter to moving forward alongside Ukraine on this path, because they have an ambitious commitment to European integration, and we have an ambitious commitment to European integration. It is in the interests of both countries to cooperate in this process. And it would indeed be wonderful if we could go through it together. But, at the same time, the transposition process may differ. We have our own problems, they have theirs, not to mention the fact that Ukraine is at war.”
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