The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) welcomes the publication by the European Commission, on Tuesday, of the Annual Package on the Enlargement of the European Union, which contains the evaluation reports for the six partners in the Western Balkans and Turkey, as well as the country reports for the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia.

'The MAE particularly welcomes the European Commission's reiteration of the fact that enlargement is a key geopolitical instrument that contributes to common safety, prosperity and security, which unifies Europe on the basis of common values and identity, while its economic, social and democratic model continues to inspire and attract. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates and shares the European Commission's emphasis on the fact that the enlargement process remains one based on merits, which takes into account the objective progress achieved by each individual state. From this point of view, the MAE welcomes the Commission's reiteration of the fact that the candidate countries must continue on the path of sustainable reforms, anchored in respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights, as well as in their clear adherence to the geopolitical orientation of the European Union', reads a Ministry of Foreign Affairs' release sent to AGERPRES.

Also, 'the MAE welcomes the mention of the accelerated pace of the Republic of Moldova in terms of important reforms carried out on the path to accession and the Commission's highlighting of the substantial strengthening of the cooperation of the Republic of Moldova with the EU, despite the continuous hybrid threats and attempts to destabilize its European path'.

'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates the clear reflection in the Commission's report of the firm commitment of the Republic of Moldova to its accession to the EU, reconfirmed by the parliamentary elections of September 28, which led to a parliamentary majority firmly committed to advancing the accession process. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes, at the same time, the support of the European Commission for the ambitious, but considered achievable, objective of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, to conclude the accession negotiations at the beginning of 2028. In this perspective, the MAE also shares the Commission's assessments according to which the Republic of Moldova is already prepared to open negotiations on clusters 1 (Fundamentals), 2 (Internal Market) and 6 (External Relations). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expresses, in the same line as the Commission, the expectation of a Council decision to open all negotiation clusters with the Republic of Moldova by at the end of the year', the quoted source emphasizes.

According to the press release, 'Romania will remain firmly committed, at bilateral and European level, to strongly support the authorities of the Republic of Moldova in the process of European integration'.

Romania also appreciates the 'significant' progress made by Ukraine on its path to accession to the European Union and reaffirms its 'firm' support for this country's European path. In full agreement with the European Commission's assessments, Romania 'firmly' supports the objective of opening negotiations with Ukraine on Cluster 1 - Fundamental Elements, as soon as possible, as well as on the other clusters by the end of this year, the quoted press release reads.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the European Commission's assessments on the progress made by the partners in the Western Balkans and supports the advancement of the region's European perspective. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalls, in this regard, the progress of the negotiations with Montenegro and Albania and joins the European Commission in expressing the hope that the pace of reforms in the two states will continue to be alert, allowing further advancement of their European path and the achievement of their accession objectives, the press release informs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports the intensification of 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 of April 2024.

'At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights the mention, for the first time, in the Enlargement Package published by the European Commission, of the importance of the Black Sea region, by referring to the Strategic Approach for a secure and stable Black Sea region, which aims to strengthen connectivity and growth, by linking Europe to the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports the Commission's vision according to which this strategy will strengthen the geopolitical role of the Union and will bring tangible benefits to the EU and the Black Sea partners, through partnerships and regional cooperation in the field of connectivity. The Commission's recommendations represent an extremely important landmark from the perspective of the discussions at the EU Council level, aiming at the adoption of political conclusions that will outline the next steps in the European path of the partners committed to the European path', the press release also highlights. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Andreea Rotaru; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)