Moldova, Metsola in Chișinău: “Moldova's future is European and that future starts now”.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola traveled to Chisinau to officially open the new term of the Moldovan Parliament and relaunch the country's European Union accession process. This historic speech marks a new phase in relations between Brussels and the Republic of Moldova.

Chisinau hosted one of the strongest statements ever made by a European leader on Moldova's future within the European Union. Before the assembled Moldovan parliamentarians, Roberta Metsola reiterated without hesitation: Moldova belongs to Europe. Its accession is no longer a distant prospect, but a concrete project that is happening now.

This message comes at a crucial moment for the country, fresh from parliamentary elections that, for the third consecutive time, have rewarded pro-European forces, led by President Maia Sandu.

A window of opportunity that should not be wasted

Metsola recalled how, in just three years, Chisinau has gone from candidate status to the imminent start of accession negotiations. Brussels credits the country with "remarkable" progress:

• screening completed;

• rule of law reforms underway;

• conditions met for the opening of the most sensitive negotiating clusters;

• Roadmaps approved to strengthen democratic and anti-corruption institutions.

What surprises the Union is Moldova's ability to resist Russian pressure, disinformation campaigns and destabilization attempts.

Metsola said it bluntly:
“You have chosen freedom over fear, resilience over dependence, Europe over coercion.”

Energy, security, economy: Europe invests in Moldova's future

The EU has already put concrete instruments on the table:

• 18,9 million euro just disbursed under the Reform and Growth Facility;

• 270 million euro in pre-financing;

• revision of the EU-Moldova free trade area to integrate the country into the single market;

• access to the SEPA payment system;

• access to the “Roam like at home” regime.

Investments that are not “aid”, but which according to Metsola represent a mutual benefit, a strategic piece in the new European geopolitical balance.

A permanent office of the European Parliament in Chișinău

The most symbolic passage of the speech comes when Metsola announces the imminent opening of a Office of the Permanent Representation of the European Parliament in the Moldovan capital.

This historic decision, never before granted to an Eastern Partnership country, places Moldova within the European institutional orbit with a direct and daily level of cooperation.

“A promise made, a promise kept.”
With these words Metsola officially delivered the document that establishes the opening of the office.

The geopolitical weight of enlargement: "Europe needs Moldova as much as Moldova needs Europe."

In his speech, Metsola then addressed a topic that is often underestimated in the European debate: enlargement is not just an administrative process, but the EU's strongest geopolitical instrument.

In a context marked by Russian aggression in Ukraine, the hybrid threat, and global competition, the entry of countries like Moldova and Ukraine becomes a strategic investment in stability.

A strong statement:
“What works for a Union of 27 will no longer work for a Union of 29 or 30. We too must prepare.”

Unprecedented popular support

A recent European survey cited by Metsola shows a significant increase in support for enlargement among EU citizens, particularly among young people.
The message is clear: Europe does not just welcome Moldova; Europe wants Moldova.

European leaders Merz, Macron, and Tusk also demonstrated this when they met in Chisinau a few months ago in what Metsola called “the most powerful demonstration of unity in modern Europe.”

The call of history and the need for a finish line

November 7th is no ordinary day. Exactly 36 years ago, young Moldovans peacefully stood against Soviet tanks, demanding the right to choose their own future.

Today, that same determination returns to the European path.

President Maia Sandu called the path towards EU membership “a marathon that must have a finish line, not moving objectives.”

Metsola proved her right.
Now is Europe's time. Now is the time for accession negotiations.

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A shared dream, a door that opens

Metsola closed with a personal memory: the great European assembly in Chișinău, when thousands of citizens shouted together:

"Europe is Moldova! Moldova is Europe!"

A sentence that is already history.
A phrase that today comes back as a promise.
A sentence that Brussels does not want to ignore.

The door is open.
Moldova must now cross it.