Moldovan Parliament leader optimistic country can achieve goal of EU accession prior to 2030 target

When asked when Moldova might join the EU, Grosu noted that President Maia Sandu has set a goal of joining by 2030.

"This is the goal we have set for ourselves," the speaker said.

“I support this goal, but at the same time, I told my colleagues, and I tell everyone that we will strive to speed up this process.”

Moldova and Ukraine, as well as the whole of Europe, are currently experiencing "accelerated dynamics," meaning that events are changing at a speed that was not the case 10 years ago.

"We have to adapt and find opportunities in this difficult situation," Grosu stated.

“I think we started this process in 2022, and, so far, it has been successful. In 2022, we received the status of a candidate country, and in 2023, we started negotiations. We thank the 27 countries and especially Romania, which has always been and remains our advocate.”

The European Commission recommended starting negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU on Nov. 8, 2023. It was expected that the EU leaders' summit on Dec. 14-15 would decide to start negotiations, but Hungary threatened to block it.

The European Council decided to start accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, and grant candidate status to Georgia on Dec. 14.