It is important for Moldova's EU integration to continue reforms toward compliance with the uniform EU norms and laws - Melbarde

RIGA - It is important for Moldova's European Union integration to continue reforms toward compliance with the uniform EU norms and laws, the Foreign Ministry' s Parliamentary Secretary Dace Melbarde said at the Ministerial Conference of the Moldova Partnership Platform today, the Latvian Foreign Ministry informed LETA.

Melbarde presented to the audience Latvia's support to Moldova - both bilateral support and multilateral activities and projects. For example, Latvia continues providing assistance to Moldova through bilateral projects and contributions to international and Moldovan funds, including EUR 50,000 in 2023 to strengthen Moldova's energy independence.

In multilateral formats, Latvia consistently supports the strengthening of Moldova's resilience by means of EU instruments through the European Peace Facility, the EU Partnership Mission in the country, as well as sanctions against individuals destabilising the political situation in Moldova.

At the conference, Melbarde underlined that the EU was not just a political process and a goal in itself: every candidate country must meet certain requirements and take practical steps to comply with common EU standards and laws.

On October 20, Moldova will hold a constitutional referendum on the country's accession to the EU.

Moldova, like Ukraine, has been a candidate country for EU membership since 2022. EU member countries decided to open accession negotiations with both countries at the end of 2023.

On June 25, 2024 the Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg officially opened negotiations on accession to the EU, thereby launching practical work to take over the EU acquis.