EU Reassesses Moldova's EU Bid Over Religious Freedom Concerns
The European Commission may reassess Moldova's EU accession bid due to concerns over religious freedom. Recent actions by Moldovan authorities have raised eyebrows, potentially delaying the country's progress towards the Copenhagen criteria.
Moldovan authorities have been accused of targeting the Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is canonically subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate. Critics warn that these actions risk institutionalising discrimination. Incidents include travel restrictions on senior clergy, such as Archbishop Marchel of Bălți and Făleşti, who was barred from leaving Moldova to participate in the Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem in April 2025. There have also been reports of confiscation of religious items and arbitrary fines, as well as attempts to reallocate Church property to the Metropolis of Bessarabia, aligned with the Romanian Orthodox Church. These actions are seen as a violation of religious liberties and a threat to Moldova's constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom and separation of church and state. A Member of the European Parliament is set to submit a formal representation to the European Commission, urging a reassessment of Moldova's EU accession bid due to these concerns. While no specific EU member state has been identified as officially criticising the Moldovan government's treatment of Orthodox Christians, international observers have expressed growing criticism.
The European Commission may review Moldova's compliance with the Copenhagen criteria in light of these allegations, potentially delaying its accession timetable. The Moldovan government's actions towards Orthodox Christians have raised serious concerns about religious freedom, which could impact the country's EU aspirations.
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