Romania welcomes the publication by the European Commission of the Annual Package on the enlargement of EU

Romani's Foreign Ministry (MAE) welcomes the publication by the European Commission of the Annual Package on the enlargement of the European Union, noting the emphasis by the EU executive on the fact that, twenty years after the largest wave of accession to the EU, accession remains a key instrument to project stability, peace and security on the continent.At the same time, the European Commission reiterates that the enlargement process must continue on the merits of each of the partners, which requires determination in the implementation of irreversible reforms in all areas.Also, MAE says that obtaining the status of EU member is a strategic option, for which the partners must firmly pledge to and promote European values, and their alignment with the common foreign and security policy is, more than ever, a significant indicator of shared values and strategic orientation in the new geopolitical context."Romania pays special attention to the continuation of the enlargement process, which it sees as a fundamental option that implies a common responsibility, both for the partners and for the European Union. Advancing the enlargement at a sustained pace and based on the progress of the candidates in the reform process remains a priority objective for our country," says MAE.The ministry welcomes the European Commission's assessment of the significant progress made in the last year by the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine on the path of reforms necessary for accession to the European Union, despite the particularly difficult context they continued to face in 2023."We share the positive assessment of the European Commission, which highlights that the efforts made by the pro-European authorities in Chisinau have resulted in significant progress with implementing the essential reforms necessary for the European integration process and rapprochement with the EU and traces the way forward for their completion."According to MAE, in line with the assessment of the EU, these reforms, "carried out in a particularly complicated period at regional level and in the context in which the Republic of Moldova is facing unprecedented hybrid attacks carried out by the Russian Federation against it, prove the real political commitment of the Moldovan authorities to European integration, the only strategic option capable of bringing economic development and democratic consolidation and ensuring citizens prosperity, security and freedom that they want."MAE appreciates the fact that this year's opening of accession negotiations is an important recognition of the commitment displayed by Moldova to implementing reforms on the path to European integration, achieved even in the very difficult context given by Russia's interference attempts and the impact on the country of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.Romania will remain "firmly committed", at bilateral and European level, to supporting the pro-European authorities in Chisinau in the European integration process.At the same time, MAE welcomes the significant progress made by Ukraine on the path to accession to the European Union and reaffirms Romania's "firm" support for Kyiv's European path.In full agreement with the EC recommendations, Romania "firmly" supports the objective of opening negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine on cluster 1 - Fundamental elements, as soon as possible in 2025, after the presentation by the commission of the report on the analytical examination of the application of the acquis communautaire (the so-called screening). "The opening of negotiations on this group of chapters will mean recognition of the special efforts and cooperation of the two countries throughout the technical process that is currently underway."At the same time, MAE welcomes the EU's commitment to strengthening the partnership with Georgia in line with the pro-European aspirations of the Georgian population.It also welcomes the European Commission's assessments of the progress made by the Western Balkan partners and supports the advancement of the European perspective of the region. It mentions in that regard the proposals made regarding the progress in the negotiations with Albania and Montenegro, as well as of the relevant findings of the commission regarding the advancement of the European path of Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia and of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reiterating the fact that the pace of negotiations is set by own merits in terms of fulfilling the necessary accession criteria.At the same time, MAE supports the proposals aimed at intensifying cooperation with Turkey, as a candidate state and key partner of the EU, in multiple areas of common interest, in line with the conclusions of the European Council meeting in April 2024."The commission's recommendations is an extremely important landmark in terms of discussions at the level of the Council of the EU, which will outline the next steps in the European journey of the partners engaged on the European path," MAE also reports.The enlargement package contains evaluation reports on the six partners in the Western Balkans and Turkey, as well as country reports on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.