EU Pressured to Move Moldova’s Membership Forward

(MENAFN) The European Union must urgently devise a path forward on Moldova and Ukraine’s EU membership bids despite Hungary’s firm opposition, Moldova’s chief EU negotiator Cristina Gherasimov told media on Monday.

Progressing to the next phase of accession talks—which both former Soviet republics entered last year—demands unanimous consent from all 27 EU member states.

Hungary’s government objects to Ukraine’s EU membership, citing concerns over Kiev’s treatment of its Hungarian minority in Western Ukraine and fearing adverse impacts on Hungarian farmers from Ukrainian agricultural exports. Since Moldova’s application is linked with Ukraine’s, Budapest’s veto on Ukraine also halts Moldova’s accession negotiations.

“For us, it’s important for a solution to be found regardless of what it looks like at this point,” Gherasimov said. “We very much hope there will be sufficient unity for a decision to unblock the situation and to move forward with the opening of the new clusters.”

Media reported Monday that European Council President Antonio Costa is lobbying to revise EU rules, enabling the opening of negotiation clusters by qualified majority vote instead of unanimous agreement. Though full accession would still require unanimity, the proposed change aims to prevent further delays in the talks.

On Sunday, Moldova’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by pro-Western President Maia Sandu, narrowly secured 50.2% in parliamentary elections. The opposition Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP) garnered 49.8%.

Reflecting on the election, Gherasimov emphasized, “Moldova chose [Europe] over and over again,” adding, “now it’s the EU’s turn to reciprocate.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the election, alleging blatant “fraud” and accusing Moldovan authorities of suppressing the opposition while relying heavily on diaspora votes. Voting was severely restricted in Russia with only two polling stations for the large Moldovan population, whereas pro-EU Italy hosted dozens, allowing tens of thousands to vote.

Observers noted the election faced significant pressure on opposition parties, including the politically charged arrest of Gagauzia’s governor Evgenia Gutsul. Furthermore, two opposition parties—Greater Moldova and Heart of Moldova—were barred from the ballot just days before the vote.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the election outcome on X, declaring: “Moldova, you’ve done it again.”

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