Danish minister for European affairs says Moldova makes strategic choice

Chisinau, 26 November /MOLDPRES/ - The enlargement of the European Union will be an important element for the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, which Denmark will take over as of 1 July 2025. ‘’Europe can become stronger through enlargement,’’ Minister for European Affairs of Denmark Marie Bjerre said. The Danish official voiced hope that her country would manage to support and speed up the negotiations on Moldova’s accession to the European Union.  

„Taking into account the war in Ukraine, now there is a moment for enlargement. The enlargement is a quite important element for the Danish presidency. Europe must become stronger and can become stronger through enlargement. We hope that we will be able to open as many as possible clusters of negotiation with Moldova,’’ the Danish minister said.  

At the same time, the Danish official noted that the advancement on the European integration way prompted, as priority, by Moldova, by the political will in Chisinau, the quality of the reforms carried out. ‘’Everything must be based on merits. I know that you do not ask for shortcuts, which should be fulfilled. I assured Mrs. Minister Gherasimov that Denmark would help you in this process. I realize that a lot of work is needed and we are here to support you. The pace of the negotiations will also be up to you and, in fact, it inspires us much to see how much energy you bring to negotiations,’’ Marie Bjerre said.   

The minister for European affairs of Denmark stressed that Moldova had made a strategic choice and encouraged the country to maintain this vector of development. Marie Bjerre showed confidence that Moldova would enjoy a better future in the European family. ‘’Moldova made a strategic choice when it chose the European integration way and I am quite happy of this choice. You will enjoy a better future and I encourage you to stay on this way and I hope that we will be able to welcome Moldova as full-fledged member in the European family,’’ the Danish official said.    

For her part, Deputy PM for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov thanked the Copenhagen authorities, voicing hope that that two states would maintain an ‘’ascendant’’ dialogue. ‘’Denmark has backed us and supports us in continuation on our way to the European future. Thank you for being with us in the process of getting the status of country candidate for accession to EU and in the one of opening of the negotiations on accession. We are confident that we will preserve this tendency and this ascendant dialogue also further on, including during the EU’s rotating presidency, which Denmark will take over on 1 July 2025,’’ Cristina Gherasimov said.    

At the same time, Gherasimov compared Moldova with Denmark, noting that it would be similitudes in terms of the number of residents and the area of the country. She concluded that Denmark would serve as model for Moldova, as the authorities commit as responsibly and seriously as possible, in order to edify a country where ‘’the people should feel happy.’’ ‘’Denmark can be for us a model in many fields – beginning with democratic institutions up to civic participation, beginning with solutions to protect the environment and energy efficiency to innovation and education. And it would a model of happiness, as the Danes are among the European nations which declare themselves as the happiest ones. I know that this feeling is prompted also by the efficiency of the Danish state and is an extra reason for me and my colleagues to work, in order to build a country where the people should feel happy,’’ Gherasimov said.     

The minister for European affairs of Denmark today paid an official visit to Moldova. On 1 July 2025, Denmark will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.