Interview met christendemocraat Monica Macovei over toekomst van Moldavië (en) - Montesquieu Instituut

The EU faces the challenge of how to best help neighbouring countries transform into modern democracies capable of competing at a global level. In the case of Moldova, the EU is now negotiating visa liberalisation and a free trade agreement to incite it to carry out the necessary reforms. On 29 May all this will be discussed at the 15th meeting of the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC). We spoke to Romanian Christian-Democrat Monica Macovei, head of the delegation to the PCC.

In Moldova there are tensions over the Transnistria region ever since it claimed independence. How can the EU help to negotiate a peaceful settlement for this conflict?

I visited Transnistria. It is an empty place as many people have left. People there have a real hunger to meet others, find jobs, and bring welfare and principles in their lives.

The Republic of Moldova is now negotiating visa liberalisation and the free trade agreement (DCFTA). Both cover the whole of Moldova, including the Transnistrian region. This will benefit everyone.

Trade throughout history has brought progress, improved relationships between people, and stimulated the exchange of culture and ideas. People in the Transnistrian region, regardless of the minority they belong to, will enjoy the advantages of visa liberalisation and the DCFTA.

How can trade help to spur reforms in the Republic of Moldova and what sort of changes is the EU hoping to achieve?

The DCFTA is part of the association agreement. I am glad that negotiations on the DCFTA started in March 2012. I hope they will be finalised by the end of 2013. It will push and support the Republic of Moldova to adapt its legal and economic structures in order to be able to ensure the competitiveness involved with free trade. It will also attract foreign investment, bring prosperity and foster market competition. And of course, Moldova will be able to place its products on the European market.

This visa liberalisation programme has also many chapters on human rights, which they have now provisionally closed. What still needs be done in Moldova is the adoption of an anti-discrimination law. In addition it will need to reform its intelligence service, as unlike other countries in the region Moldova did not undergo this reform process in the pre-accession NATO negotiations.

Why does Moldova matter to the EU? Could getting involved in its internal affairs bring any drawbacks or dangers?

It is important because the EU wants to export its values and principles to as many countries as possible, in particular to the neighbouring countries. This changes people's lives for the better and will strengthen security in the region. I hope to celebrate the day when Moldova will join the Union with all commitments fulfilled.