The residents of Balti, a major industrial city in northern Moldova, were taken aback when on Saturday, May 10, they saw Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, arrive to personally explain to the population the benefits of the country's accession to the EU, planned for 2027.
"Usually, high-ranking officials from Brussels go to Chisinau − rarely to the provinces," said Anna-Maria, a high school student who attended the meeting organized at the university between the commissioner, students, mayors and entrepreneurs. Pro-European, the young girl pointed out that "many here are pro-Russian." In fact, on the eve of the European delegation's visit, Balti celebrated the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in grand style with many Soviet flags.
"The nostalgia for the USSR is strong here," said Alina Ghiletchi, 35, co-founder of a family-owned garment business that exports 100% of its production to Europe. "Many regret the past − everything seemed so predictable," explained the entrepreneur, recalling that Balti was once an important center of the Soviet light industry.
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