Moldova’s border with Romania: challenges and perspectives after Romania’s accession to the European Union
Moldova’s border with Romania: challenges and perspectives after Romania’s accession to the European Union

Summary/Abstract: The authors of this article explore national identity from the perspective of the border between Romania and Moldova. EU enlargement means a changing emphasis on borders with a strengthening of the external frontier which, in the instant case, has greater resonance subsequent to Romania’s accession to the EU. The article looks at the history of the two states over the last two decades and at Romania’s attempts to meet the EU’s requirements for a secure external frontier, and also at the diplomatic quarrels which have resulted as political elites in both countries have sought to manipulate events to suit their own agendas, including Romania’s dual citizenship policy and the recent involvement of Hungary. The authors conclude that, in contrast to the non-national modes of thinking which characterise EU action, both countries seem to be stuck on an agenda which is focused on the interests of nations rather than those of citizens, and that the policies of both sides have been affected by a lack of clarity over what a border is supposed to mean in an EU context.

• Details
• Contents