Recent statements by President of Romania Nicusor Dan on support for Moldova’s integration into the European Union and the economic rapprochement between the two states mark an important shift in approach, says an expert of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) Daniel Voda.
“Moldova is and will remain an important concern for Romania. We will continue to support its integration into the European Union and an integration of the two economies,’’ Nicusor Dan today said at the Romania Government Roundtable Conference, a message the expert considers to have strategic significance.
According to Daniel Voda, this stance shows a move from political support to a new stage – real economic integration between Moldova and Romania.
‘’We are no longer talking only about political or symbolic support. The emphasis on economic integration shows a paradigm shift – real interconnection between markets, infrastructure and investments. This means concrete projects,’’ the expert said.
At the same time, Voda draws attention to the fact that the next step is to turn these messages into concrete actions, through decisions assumed by the authorities in Chisinau and Bucharest.
‘’Strategic messages matter only if they are followed by decisions. There is a need to accelerate energy and infrastructure projects, stimulate cross-border investments and involve companies, including those with state capital,’’ he stressed.
The expert underlines that Moldova is no longer a situational topic in Romanian political discourse, but is becoming a constant priority.
‘’Moldova is becoming a strategic constant in Romania, with economic, security and development implications. It is not just about support, but about an increasingly natural and rapid interaction between the two states,’’ Daniel Voda concluded.
President of Romania Nicusor Dan today reaffirmed Bucharest’s firm support for the European path of Moldova, during the Romania Government Roundtable Conference. The Romanian head of state emphasized that the relationship with Moldova stayed a strategic priority, including through the deepening of the economic cooperation between the two countries.