Roundtable in Moldova

From 27–30 September, IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer and Research Associate Rebecca Thorne were in Moldova for a roundtable discussion on European integration as part of the project “Central Europe and Future EU Enlargement”.

The event commenced with a presentation of the policy paper “Lessons from the Western Balkans: For a Better Rebuilding of Post-War Ukraine”, which was written as part of the project.

Project partners then engaged in discussion with guest experts from Moldova and Ukraine. The first session dealt with the immediate challenges of EU enlargement including the war in Ukraine and the EU’s readiness to accept new members. The second session focused on the ways in which instruments of pre-accession assistance can support the candidate countries, including the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Ukraine Facility. The third session was dedicated to the role of Central Europe in supporting Moldova and Ukraine on their journey towards successful integration into the EU.

The following conclusions were reached:

• While there are networks of think tanks between Central Europe and the candidate countries, there also needs to be more exchange of think tanks between the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe. With its unique dual focus on both EU neighbourhood regions, the IDM sees this as part of its mission.
• The EU needs to find a way to ensure that Member States do not hinder candidate countries’ accession by vetoing negotiations.
• Europe must prepare societies for enlargement while negotiations are ongoing to ensure that Member States are ready to ratify the accession treaty.
• Gradual and/or sectoral integration might be a possibility but may also threaten to undermine EU accession and risk creating a 2- or 3-tier Europe.
• The next MFF in 2028 should take into account the possibility that candidate countries may be ready to join the EU; the average length of all successfully finalised negotiations is 3.5 years.
• Financial support is available but candidate countries have to ensure they have enough capacity to absorb the funds.

The event took place at the EcoVillage in Rîșcova, located 40km from Chișinău. The programme included a guided tour of sustainability practices implemented at the EcoVillage.

The event was pertinent because, over the last two weeks, Moldova and Ukraine have both successfully completed the screening process with the European Commission as part of their accession into the EU. Moreover, in the parliamentary elections on Sunday, Moldova again voted for a pro-European party. Both countries are making progress towards fulfilling the requirements of the acquis; now the EU also has to step up to the mark and prepare itself for future enlargement.

The project is supported by the International Visegrad Fund and aims to promote the integration of EU candidate countries by working with think tanks from across the region to create an active network that can share expertise, stimulate common understanding and develop joint solutions.