“The dream must become reality. » Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday, May 21, in Moldova, a small country neighboring Ukraine, to proclaim their European aspirations contested by Russia. “We have come to say loud and clear, with confidence and pride, that Moldova’s place is in the European Union”said President Maia Sandu, at the initiative of the event which took place in front of the seat of government, in the heart of Chisinau, the capital.
“Europe is much more than a political slogan, it is a way of life, a dream that must become reality, (…) the only way for our children to live in peace”insisted the 50-year-old leader, reaffirming her intention to join the Twenty-Seven by 2030. Present at her side, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, brought her ” support “ to Moldova, which she judged “ready for European integration”.
The former Soviet republic of 2.6 million inhabitants sees its entry into the EU as the only guarantee of not being Russia’s next target, after the invasion of its big neighbor Ukraine. Like him, it obtained in June 2022 the status of official candidate for membership.
“Getting out of the doldrums”
In the crowd, estimated at more than 75,000 people by the police, young and old mingled, waving Moldovan and European flags in a festive atmosphere. Aurica Baltag, a 35-year-old student, came with her two children to display “unity” of this fragile nation. “We are going through difficult times with the war in neighboring Ukraineshe told Agence France-Presse (AFP). We hope not to be left in the shadows and that the EU will help us through this period. »
Worried like “everyone from Russian threats”Liuba Bonta, a 63-year-old retiree, wants “out of the doldrums” in which this poor country is immersed, victim of an exodus of its population since independence, obtained in 1991. Moldova, where pro-Russian demonstrations take place regularly – some were again organized in the provinces this Sunday -, must also cope with the presence of Russian soldiers in the separatist region of Transnistria.
In February, M.me Sandu had accused Moscow of fomenting a coup and denounces the “hybrid warfare” led by Moscow. In an interview with AFP this week, the president said she wanted to join ” as soon as possible “ to the EU, hoping for a decision ” in the coming months “ on the opening of negotiations. “Russia will continue to be a great source of instability in the years to come and we must protect ourselves”she pointed out.