Resolution on the state of play of EU-Moldova cooperation
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the state of play of EU-Moldova cooperation.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR, The Left groups and Members.
Solidarity with Moldova
While welcoming the great solidarity shown by the citizens of Moldova to Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's war of aggression, Members believe that the EU should show the same degree of solidarity with the Moldovan people.
Members recalled that managing the situation of the almost 100 000 refugees who have found shelter in and those transiting through Moldova constitutes an increasing financial burden for the Moldovan state, which already finds itself in a precarious financial situation due to the economic slowdown of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in gas prices triggered artificially by Gazprom.
Therefore, the Commission should increase its financial and technical assistance to Moldova, including through a new proposal for macro-financial assistance (MFA), which should be mainly in the form of grants, rather than loans, in order to stabilise Moldova's socio-economic situation.
The Commission is invited to:
- continue to provide humanitarian assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, border management support through Frontex and the relocated EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), as well as support for the transfer of persons to EU Member States in the framework of the Moldova Support Platform;
- extend the mandate of EUBAM to respond to the ongoing emergency resulting from the arrival of large numbers of refugees from Ukraine;
- present additional proposals to ensure full transport and trade liberalisation with the EU, such as the suspension of import duties on all Moldovan exports to the EU, increased quotas for Moldovan agricultural products and easier access to the EU labour market for Moldovan workers;
- set up specific support programmes for refugee women and children at risk of trafficking in human beings.
Membership application
Parliament welcomed Moldova's application for EU membership on 3 March 2022. It called on the EU institutions to grant Moldova EU candidate status and, in the meantime, to continue to work towards its integration into the EU single market and to strengthen sectoral cooperation.
Members stressed that, as in Ukraine, the concrete prospect of EU membership would be an essential element of hope for the morale of the Moldovan population during this period of extreme insecurity and deprivation. They called for a clear and strong political signal to be made at the European Council meeting in June 2022 regarding Moldova's move towards Europe.
Cooperation and energy independence
Parliament called on the EU to provide enhanced administrative and technical assistance through the creation of a Support Group for Moldova.
Stressing that it is unacceptable that Russia has been weaponising its gas supply to exert political pressure on Moldova, Parliament called on the Commission and the Member States to help Moldova ensure its energy independence, connectivity, diversification and efficiency, and to speed up the development of renewable energy sources.
Member States are invited to jointly purchase natural gas, liquefied natural gas and hydrogen through a common platform also accessible to the Western Balkan countries and the three associated Eastern Partnership countries. In this context, Parliament reiterated its call for an immediate embargo on Russian gas.
Members called on the EU institutions to use emergency funding to quickly connect Moldova to the EU electricity grid, as well as to strengthen the EU's technical and financial support needed to ensure Moldova's resilience against external pressure in the energy field.
Support for Moldova's independence and territorial integrity
Members expressed their deep concern about recent developments in the Transnistrian region and condemned these events as dangerous acts of provocation undertaken in a highly volatile security situation.
Parliament reiterated its firm commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova within its internationally recognised borders. It reiterated its support for a comprehensive, peaceful and lasting political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, which should provide for a special status for Transnistria within a viable Moldovan state and should not undermine the country's European aspirations.
Lastly, Parliament welcomed initiatives to increase assistance in the field of security, notably through the launch of the EU-Moldova High-Level Political and Security Dialogue and substantial assistance measures under the European Peace Facility. It also called for assistance to Moldova in the field of cyber security and strategic communications to improve its resilience to possible Russian attacks.