The European Union Affairs Committee (EUAC) is currently visiting Moldova, where the focus is on the upcoming parliamentary elections. On 30 November, the people will decide whether to continue with EU integration or to tighten cooperation with Russia.

At her meeting with Moldovan MPs, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee Marianne Mikko acknowledged Moldova as a success story of the EU Eastern Partnership.

“Moldova deserves EU membership, but the situation before the elections is tough: Russian-financed populist parties are rapidly gaining popularity in Moldova,” said Mikko, who also used to head the Moldovan delegation of the European Parliament.

According to the Chairman of the EUAC Kalle Palling, the Riigikogu plans to carry out the final vote on the draft association agreement between the EU and Moldova next week. Palling saw this as an important step towards developing political and economic relations between the EU and Moldova.

After the end of the official visit, Marianne Mikko accepted the invitation of Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs Natalia Gherman and joined the campaign tour in support of the European Union, which will take her to Moldovan small towns and villages.

The Riigikogu delegation also included Liisa-Ly Pakosta, a member of the EUAC.

Photos of the meeting can be viewed here 

The Riigikogu Press Service