Moldova joins Ukraine in big step on path to joining EU

The EU is embarking on years of talks aimed at bringing in the two countries as new members.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUK General ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessFuture of BusinessTechnology of BusinessWork CultureInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersMoldova takes difficult step on path to joining EU12 hours agoBy Petru Clej, BBC News in Chisinau, MoldovaSharePetru Clej/BBCChisinau has the feel of a European capital, but not all Moldovans want to move away from RussiaFor Moldova as much as Ukraine, Tuesday 25 June will be a momentous day, when the European Union embarks on years of talks aimed at bringing in the two countries as new members.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu, a prime mover in the European direction, has set 2030 as a target to join the EU, but her country faces a long and arduous journey towards membership.

Chisinau has the feel of a European city. Young musicians sing Whitney Houston's "I wanna dance with somebody" outside a trendy restaurant as Moldovans pass by. But the city's buildings remind you of its Tsarist, Romanian and Soviet past as much as its vibrant present.

Moldova's population of 2.6 million is tiny in European terms, and one in five people live in the capital.

But Maia Sandu has a high standing among EU leaders, not least for her fluency in English and French. She travels to EU summits in economy class and dresses in jeans and trainers.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg330w2x7g3o

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