Moldova is moving forward on the path to membership in the European Union as EU leaders agree to begin accession negotiations soon. In the country, even if the majority of Moldovans are in favor, the subject deeply divides, including among young people.
A small country located between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is a linguistic and cultural melting pot, exposed to constant attempts at destabilization by Moscow. While the current government in Chişinău hopes to move the country forward as quickly as possible on the path to integration into the European Union and the EU heads of state and government agree to begin soon, accession negotiations, pro-Russian opposition parties are rallying support for their goal of turning Moldova resolutely eastward.
But before joining the EU, which the government plans for 2030, the country still needs to make fundamental changes in its judicial system, economy and politics. For its part, the European Union itself will have to be able to carry out the necessary internal reforms before accepting other member states.
In the meantime, the question of membership, even if a majority of Moldovans are in favor, also raises fears, in particular among the elderly and Russian-speaking communities. We met three young Moldovans divided on the subject.
Rusanda: “One day we will be accepted in this community”
In the village of Hîrtop, Rusanda is a convinced pro-European. The young woman is at the head of a network of small towns which intends to slow down the rural exodus by offering cultural activities. She invests all her energy in artistic projects and grant applications. “Sometimes I feel that we are already part of the EU and that one day we will be accepted into this community,” she confides.
“European culture,” continues Rusanda, “It’s not just about diversity, it’s also about critical thought and discourse, but also about being one community.” The host thus believes that Moldovan culture will find its place perfectly there, this being according to her, “a mix of tradition and modernity” with many languages and nationalities.
Nikita: “Moldova’s integration into the EU is unacceptable”
In a modest neighborhood of apartment blocks on the outskirts of Chişinău, Nikita, an international relations student, says he admires the “strong leaders” like Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko and is active in the pro-Russian Moldovan Socialist Party.
In his neighborhood, the 20-year-old helps elderly people fill out applications for help with heating costs. Although these services are co-financed by the European Union as part of its Eastern Partnership, he rejects the idea of joining it.
At his home, we discover on a shelf a book by the Russian ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a troublemaker who, during his lifetime, made far-right hate speeches during his campaign and advocated occupation of Ukraine.
We ask Nikita if he thinks his country’s membership in the EU is a good or bad idea. He answers us: “Radical integration with the West is not in the interests of citizens. Moldova’s economic interest is to develop its relations with the EU, but first of all, with our eastern partners – Russia and China,” he believes. “The integration of Moldova into the EU in its current state at a time of disintegration and total destruction of the state is completely unacceptable,” he emphasizes.
Nadezhda: “We are growing to keep people here”
In an industrial zone of the capital, Nadejda, a 26-year-old business manager, hopes to soon sell her spreads made in Moldova throughout the single European market. The almonds and hazelnuts come from Moldova, the peanuts from Brazil and the fat milk from Poland. A convinced European, she is in the process of expanding her activity. It has already ordered machines to also produce chocolate and ice cream.
“The Made in Europe label will be a tool for us, it will be easier to export,” assures Nadejda. “When we become part of the EU, I think it will be easier for us to open doors,” estimates the young woman.
Recently, Nadejda replaced a low-quality machine made in China with a high-tech device from Italy. If Moldova becomes a member of the EU, the business owner will no longer have to pay import taxes when purchasing new equipment manufactured in Europe.
“We have great potential here in Moldova,” she adds. “We need to expand more into agribusiness, manufacturing, agriculture and we can keep people here, hire more people,” she indicates. She believes her brand, Moft, will become famous all over the world. For Nadejda, access to the European internal market could be a springboard to expand into the global market.