Moldovan president on EU great enlargement on 1 May 2004

Chisinau, May 1 /MOLDPRES/- Twenty years ago, on 1 May 2004, ten states became members of the European Union - the biggest enlargement in the history of the community, reuniting a divided continent. It is about Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary, the presidential press service has reported.

"This enlargement has brought more than 70 million citizens under the EU umbrella, contributing to a larger, more diverse and more prosperous Union. The EU enlargement has given new members more security and a better life. In those two decades, real wages have doubled and poverty levels have been reduced by 2 fold. Life expectancy has increased by 4 years, from 75 years in 2004 to 79 years in 2023," said President Maia Sandu.

She also said that our citizens deserve the same: "EU accession will bring Moldova a better life. European integration is not just a beautiful dream, it is our chance for peace and well-being for which we must all work every day".