Moldova may finalize EU accession talks by end of 2027 - Sandu

CHISINAU. May 13 (Interfax) - Moldova may finalize negotiations on joining the European Union in 2028, and parliamentary elections in the country are crucial in the context of European integration, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.

"I believe it is realistic to finalize the negotiations by the end of 2027. After that, in 2028, a period will begin when all countries are due to voice their stance on supporting and ratifying our agreement. This stage may be completed before the mandate of this European Commission expires in 2029," Sandu said on TV8.

"A lot will depend on parliamentary elections," and "the next parliament may become the parliament of European integration," she said.

"Parliamentary elections are crucial in the context of Moldova's European integration. It is paramount that the next parliament is pro-European and continues the course towards European integration. In this context, parliamentary elections are even more important than the presidential election held last year," Sandu said.

As to the possibility of forming a pro-European coalition, Sandu said it would be very hard to form in case the Party of Action and Solidarity failed to gain a majority.

"Regretfully, opinion polls indicate that our pro-European parties will fail parliamentary elections. Therefore, PAS must do everything it can to gain a majority. There is still time before elections," Sandu said.

As to the next parliament's configuration, Sandu said it would not be possible to form a coalition with the Party of Socialists, the Alternative bloc, or Our Party, which, according to opinion polls, might win parliament seats.

"I do not think that a coalition with these parties is possible. Despite the fact that all of them speak about European integration, they voted against it last year. The question is how they support European integration by voting against it," she said.

Sandu criticized the opposition, which keeps supporting Russia and hoping for its assistance.

Parliamentary elections in Moldova have been scheduled for September 28, 2025.