Brussels must find a solution to overcome Hungary’s veto, Chisinau’s diplomat negotiating with the bloc has said
The EU must find a way to move forward with Moldova and Ukraine’s EU membership bids despite Hungary’s objections, Moldova’s chief EU negotiator Cristina Gherasimov told Politico on Monday.
Qualifying for the next stage of accession talks, which started last year with the two former Soviet states, requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU members.
Budapest opposes Ukrainian membership of the bloc, citing Kiev’s treatment of the Hungarian minority in Western Ukraine, and fears that the country’s agricultural exports could hurt Hungarian farmers. As Moldova’s application is twinned with Ukraine’s, the Hungarian veto on Kiev’s progress also stalls Chisinau’s negotiations.
“For us, it’s important for a solution to be found regardless of what it looks like at this point,” Gherasimov said. “We very much hope there will be sufficient unity for a decision to unblock the situation and to move forward with the opening of the new clusters.”
Politico reported on Monday that European Council President Antonio Costa is seeking support to change the rules, allowing negotiation clusters to open by qualified majority instead of unanimity. Final accession would still require unanimous approval, but the plan would prevent delays.
On Sunday, the ruling Moldovan Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by pro-Western President Maia Sandu, got 50.2% of the vote in parliamentary elections. The opposition Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP) won 49.8%.
Commenting on the results, Gherasimov stressed that “Moldova chose [Europe] over and over again,” adding that “now it’s the EU’s turn to reciprocate.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moldova’s election was compromised by blatant “fraud,” accusing authorities of suppressing opposition and relying heavily on diaspora votes. Just two polling stations were opened in Russia, limiting voting for its large Moldovan community, while dozens in pro-EU Italy allowed tens of thousands to vote.
Observers and analysts reported that the election was marred by pressure on opposition forces, including the “politically motivated” arrest of Gagauzia’s governor Evgenia Gutsul. Two opposition parties, Greater Moldova and Heart of Moldova, were barred from participation days before polling began.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result on X, posting: “Moldova, you’ve done it again.”
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