EU chief hails ‘big progress’ in Moldova membership bid

CHISINAU — Brussels chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Moldova's President Maia Sandu on Wednesday on making "big progress" in the reforms required to back a bid for European Union membership.

The President of the European Commission was making a joint press appearance in Moldova's capital Chisinau, on the eve of a major summit of European leaders.

"Moldova is at the heart of Europe. Moldova is Europe. And today and tomorrow, the whole of Europe is Moldova," von der Leyen said.

Moldova hopes that its hosting of dozens of leaders at Thursday's European Political Community (EPC) summit will showcase the strength of its European ambition.

Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine, and alleged attempts to destabilize Moldova itself, have focused minds in Chisinau on its EU membership bid, once seen as a long-term goal.

Von der Leyen, a supporter of EU expansion, is due to report to EU capitals in October on the state of Moldova's progress in battling corruption and strengthening democratic structures.

Ukraine wants formal negotiations on the terms on which the countries join the union to begin by the end of the year, and von der Leyen's warm words will also give Moldova hope.

"My final point is about Moldova's reforms to advance on the EU path. I can clearly see that you are making big progress," von der Leyen told the joint news conference.

"This is good to see and it's amazing and we will support you to advance even faster.

"And this is why we will now significantly increase the number of staff of our EU delegation in Chisinau now," she said.

"It's basically to support you in the development of the reforms but also to help you to build the administrative capacity that is necessary."

Sandu told AFP earlier this month that she wanted Moldova to start formal membership talks in the coming months and to join as "soon as possible" to protect its fragile democracy.

Speaking with von der Leyen on Wednesday, she thanked her for the "trust" Brussels had put in her pro-Western government and for assistance in carrying out reforms.

"Our generation has the task to bring Moldova to the European family and to bring the European Union home," Sandu said. "And, dear Ursula, I have full confidence we will succeed."

Some 47 leaders from inside and outside the EU have been invited to the Moldova summit, to discuss how to handle common strategic and security threats. — Agence France-Presse