Resolution on the challenges facing the Republic of Moldova

The European Parliament adopted by 555 votes to 49, with 26 abstentions, a resolution on the challenges facing the Republic of Moldova.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR groups and Members.

Moldova has been disproportionally affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, having had to cope with an influx of over 700 000 Ukrainian refugees - proportionately more than any other country - with over 100 000 of them still remaining in the country. Its economy has been severely affected by lost trade, a decrease in foreign investment, and increased energy and transport prices.

Moldova submitted its application to join the EU on 3 March 2022, attesting to the determination of the Moldovan authorities and its citizens to advance Moldova’s European integration. Moldova is now a candidate country for EU membership. The country has embarked on an ambitious political, judicial and institutional reform process and has demonstrated its determination to fulfil the nine steps identified in the Commission opinion to meet the conditions set for the opening of accession negotiations.

Parliament stands in solidarity with the people of the Republic of Moldova during this difficult period and reiterates its unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Russia is called on to respect Moldova’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, to cease its provocations and attempts to destabilise the country and to withdraw its military forces from the Transnistrian region.

The resolution commended Moldova’s continued solidarity with the people fleeing Ukraine on account of Russia’s war of aggression, and the recent decision to grant them temporary protection in line with the relevant EU legislation. It called on the Commission to continue delivering humanitarian support via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, border management support via the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the relocated EUBAM, and support for the transfer of persons to EU Member States in the context of the Solidarity Platform.

Moreover, the EU and its Member States are called on to:

- closely monitor the situation in Moldova and to take action to counter Russia’s use of hybrid means;

- step up its support to Moldova, including by providing more technical resources, financial assistance and expertise in combating disinformation, cyberattacks and other hybrid attacks;

- broaden the scope of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to include as a punishable offence acts of corruption that undermine a country’s security, stability, constitutional order and democratic institutions;

- establish immediate sanctions against those that attempt to destabilise Moldova, undermine its security, stability and constitutional order or corrupt its political and economic institutions. In this regard, the EU is called on to sanction fugitive oligarchs Ilan Șor and Vladimir Plahotniuc personally and, where appropriate, sanction their businesses and political organisations;

- continue providing political, economic and humanitarian support to Moldova and to promote the rule of law, democracy, and reforms in the country;

- step up financial and technical assistance to support a speedy and effective EU integration process for Moldova and calls for financial assistance to be given in the form of direct budget support, in particular.