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The pro-European administration in Chișinău wants to drag the country into NATO, despite opposition from the majority population, in order to increase the country’s chances of joining the EU, the Russian media writes.
Moldovan lawmakers answer to external forces and want their country to join NATO in order to be accepted in the EU
NEWS: Moldova today is a country that has been captured and is led by foreign citizens who are virtually expressing decisions taken outside the country;
In the context of the catastrophic economic situation in the Republic of Moldova, the only “achievement” Chișinău can officially pride itself about is the so-called “Euro-integration”, the promise of starting EU accession talks by the end of the year”.
[…] It appears Chișinău has decided to enter the EU by getting in “the military bed”.
The former governor of Găgăuzia, Irina Vlah, has published a report on her Telegram channel about Moldovan authorities preparing for such a scenario.
“PAS deputies are secretly working on a law package that would allow the Republic of Moldova to join NATO, based on the model of Sweden and Finland”, Irina Vlah said.
The former governor of ATUG also expressed concern that these changes will be implemented without consulting society and the opposition.
There are sufficient reasons to support this view. Moldova has grossly violated the principle of neutrality from the very start. It is no secret that Moldova’s territory is used to transport fuel and other goods needed by the Ukrainian armed forces. Few doubt the fact that the same routes are used to regularly transport weapons and ammunition”.
[...] If we look at all these events and facts altogether, we will see the full picture described by Vlah. In essence, Moldovan authorities are making efforts to bring those actions in breach of Moldova’s neutrality, and by extension, its Constitution, within the realm of the law. The only thing that isn’t clear is if they understand that “the final straw” that led to the start of the special military operation in Ukraine was Kyiv’s willingness to join NATO.
NARRATIVES: 1. The pro-European authorities in Chișinău are preparing the country’s NATO accession through “backchannels”, despite the country’s neutrality status. 2. NATO accession is the only way the Republic of Moldova can aspire to EU integration.
BACKGROUND: The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine obtained the EU candidate status in June 2022, after submitting their applications in March. The record-short time it took to obtain this status is linked to the overall context generated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Last week, the European Parliament passed a resolution by a large majority of votes, calling for the launch of EU accession talks with the Republic of Moldova by the end of 2023.
According to one of the provisions in the much criticized 1994 Constitution, the Republic of Moldova is a neutral state. Its neutrality does not rule out military cooperation with other countries or international organizations, including NATO, a common practice specific to neutral countries. Moldova’s cooperation with NATO started in the 1990s, and one of the most important projects NATO got involved in was the evacuation of large quantities of Soviet-era pesticides which posed a threat to the environment, threatening to poison farmlands and waters.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization continues to be presented as the boogeyman for a large part of the Moldovan population, which perceives this organization through the lens of Soviet, and more recently, Russian propaganda. In this context, surveys show that approximately 30% of the country’s population would opt for NATO accession, although the majority wants Moldova to remain neutral, even though Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the 2008 invasion of Georgia have proved this status is not a viable option to guarantee security.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the government in Chișinău has repeatedly highlighted the need to shore up its security, and was given guarantees and support from its Western partners with a view to strengthening its defense capabilities. This has fueled Russian propaganda narratives about the Republic of Moldova’s plans to join NATO, or even getting involved in the war in Ukraine against Russia.
PURPOSE: To fuel fears of a significant part of the Moldovan population regarding the imminence of NATO accession, an unpopular decision allegedly endorsed by the current administration.
Fact: The EU and NATO are separate organizations. Membership to one does not automatically guarantee accession to the other.
WHY THE NARRATIVES ARE FALSE: The conclusions of the article draw on statements made by Irina Vlah, a former governor of Găgăuzia, commonly seen as a politician who is affiliated to Moscow. Irina Vlah did not provide any evidence proving the government was preparing a secret law package to allow the Republic of Moldova to join NATO, based on the model of Sweden and Finland. The two countries renounced their neutrality maintained throughout the entire Cold War, claiming the present-day acts of aggression of the Russian Federation pose a higher threat to their security compared to the threat of the USSR. It is also worth noting that Sweden has not yet joined NATO due to opposition from certain member states that continue to have good relations with the Russian Federation.
The neutrality of the Republic of Moldova is enshrined in the country’s Constitution, and this provision can only be reviewed by a referendum voted by the majority of eligible voters. Any change to this status is thus impossible in the current circumstances.
Russian propaganda has a tendency of depicting Moldova’s accession to the EU and NATO as a unilateral decision of Chișinău. Suppose a favorable decision were taken in Chișinău – NATO accession would still require unanimity of votes at Alliance level. Recent events have shown, however, how complicated it is to reach consensus to greenlight the accession of Finland and Sweden, two countries with a stable economy and a well-developed army. By contrast, the Republic of Moldova lacks the military strength that would make it worthy of NATO standards. Besides, the country has an unresolved conflict in the east, where Russian troops and military ammo are stationed.
Admittedly, Russia’s war in Ukraine has rekindled talks about the best solution to ensure Moldovan security (a discussion that has arisen in most countries around the world). Many officials have argued that neutrality is not tantamount to security, as the Russian invasion in the neighboring country has shown. Still, representatives of the Moldovan government, including president Maia Sandu, have repeatedly said that this status can be changed only in the wake of a referendum.
In June 2022, the Republic of Moldova was granted EU candidate status. Moldova must comply with a number of basic prerequisites linked to the observance of the rule of law, the fight against corruption and economic reforms. One of these requirements is tied to the status of neutrality, NATO accession or the adoption of anti-Russian policies. Any country that fulfills accession criteria can submit its application. Known as “the Copenhagen criteria”, these prerequisites stipulate the existence of a stable democracy and the rule of law, a functional market economy and compliance with EU legislation.
Therefore, the narrative about NATO accession being a prerequisite to obtaining EU membership is false. In fact, the EU comprises countries that had been neutral prior to their accession – Ireland, Austria, Sweden and Finland. Sweden and Finland were the only ones to renounce their neutrality status and also opt for NATO accession. On the other hand, some NATO countries are not also members of the EU, including in Europe (the USA and Canada cannot obviously be part of the EU). Turkey, for instance, has been trying for years to join the EU, but its applications have been rejected due to its failure to comply with accession criteria. Albania and Norway aren’t EU members either, while Great Britain has withdrawn from the EU.
This is not the first time Russian or pro-Russian propaganda claims the Republic of Moldova is being used for the transit of military equipment to Ukraine. The authorities have denied this thesis while no evidence has been produced to substantiate these claims.
GRAIN OF TRUTH: After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova has been focusing increasingly on strengthening its defense capabilities.
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