'Challenging but possible': Sandu says Moldova could join EU in 2028
Photo: Maia Sandu (Getty Images)
Moldovan President Maia Sandu believes her country could join the European Union as early as 2028 and begin the ratification process in national parliaments, according to her interview with NewsMaker.
During the interview, Sandu was asked to explain the meaning of the slogan "UE 2028" used by the ruling PAS party in its election campaign, and whether it reflects a concrete goal of joining the EU by 2028.
She replied: "It means concluding the accession negotiations and starting the ratification process in the parliaments of all EU member states."
Sandu also referred to previous statements by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Keas, who suggested that Albania and Montenegro could join the EU by 2028.
"That would mean Moldova completes the entire negotiation agenda by 2028 and begins the formal signing of accession documents," the Moldovan president explained.
At the same time, Sandu acknowledged that the 2028 timeline remains uncertain. However, if Moldova can finalize negotiations by 2027, then, in her words, "it will be challenging, but possible."
"If we finish in 2027, then yes - 2028 would be the year to ratify all the documents across the member states," Sandu concluded.
Moldova’s EU accession & upcoming elections
On July 4, the European Union officially opened the first cluster of accession negotiations with Moldova.
At the inaugural joint summit, the EU and Moldova also signed a declaration identifying Russia as a threat and jointly condemned the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Moldova is set to hold parliamentary elections on September 28. The Central Electoral Commission began accepting candidate registration documents on Sunday, July 20.
Later today, President Sandu is expected to convene a meeting of the Supreme Security Council to address foreign interference in the electoral process.
