Today, many experts and politicians in the EU are questioning whether Moldova has deserved to start negotiations for EU accession.
For many years, Moldova and Georgia have been reforming to become candidates for EU membership. These two countries are comparable in terms of size, population, economic strength, and leadership's aspiration for democratic reforms.
However, as of today, Moldova has achieved much greater success than Georgia, receiving an invitation to start negotiations for EU accession. Meanwhile, Georgia has settled for the status of a candidate country for the EU. This topic became the subject of discussion at the Brussels Press Club, where a press conference was held by the head of one of Moldova's leading regions - Gagauzia."
"The attendees heard many alarming facts indicating that the Moldovan authorities are attempting, within the process of European integration, to eliminate the only national-cultural autonomy - Gagauzia.
The head of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutsul, spoke about the oppression faced by the Gagauz people, attempts to curb press freedom, and pressures on cultural institutions. She appealed to the European public, which has always stood up for the rights of small nations, to defend the Gagauz people and their autonomy because their voice in Moldova cannot be heard by the authorities.
"Next year, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the formation of Gagauz Autonomy. A new generation of citizens has already grown up, born in Gagauz Autonomy, considering themselves Gagauz, citizens of the Republic of Moldova. But unfortunately, several issues in the relations between the center and the autonomy remain unresolved," noted Yevgenia Gutsul."
"For three decades, the central authorities have been gradually encroaching on the rights and powers of the Gagauz people. These processes intensified with the arrival of President Maia Sandu and the ruling party 'Action and Solidarity.' Maia Sandu excluded the head of Gagauzia from the composition of the Supreme Security Council of the Republic of Moldova and the National Commission for European Integration. In the spring of this year, the central authorities actively intervened in the course of the electoral campaign for the election of the Head of Gagauzia. They preferred the victory of my opponent from the Socialist Party," she added.