Sandu: Moldovans hold the future of the European Union in their hands ahead of key elections

(Patria) - Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated on Friday that Moldovans hold the fate of the country's bid to join the European Union in their hands ahead of the September elections where she hopes her pro-European party will retain control of parliament, Reuters reported.

Sandu, who wants her country, one of Europe's poorest, to join the European Union by 2030, spoke at the end of the first summit between the twenty-seven-member bloc and Moldova.

Her Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) is fighting to retain its parliamentary majority in the elections despite a challenge from the pro-Russian Socialist Party and its allies.

Sandu was narrowly re-elected last year against a socialist challenger in the former Soviet state situated between Ukraine and Romania. And a referendum asking voters to support the aspiration for EU membership barely secured a 50% majority.

"Prosperity and peace do not happen for no reason, you have to build them. With collective effort and unity. When citizens are united and choose the right path and continue on it," Sandu told a news conference at the end of the meeting.

"The European Union is already happening here. The only risk is if we stop. If this autumn we decide that nothing will stop us, then everything is possible."

Sandu and her party have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accuse Moscow of destabilizing Moldova. Russia says many Moldovans want to maintain ties with Moscow and accuses the authorities of inciting Russophobia.

Polls suggest that any party will struggle to secure a majority in the assembly. If a majority is not achieved, talks would have to follow discussions with other pro-European parties.

At the summit, attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, the European Union announced the disbursement of the first tranche of the Economic Growth Plan of 270 million euros.

An agreement was announced that will allow Moldovans to communicate by phone in European Union countries without roaming charges, a measure intended to encourage business contacts.