Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission
According to the international law principle of sovereign equality, any state may determine its official language(s) irrespective of the fact that it might present similarities with other existing official languages. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova the official language of the country is called ‘Moldovan’.
Accordingly, when the EC or EU concludes agreements with third countries, it is up to that third country to decide on the language — normally its official language recognised by its own laws — in which it wishes to conclude that agreement.
On that basis, the partnership and cooperation agreement between the European Communities and its Member States on one hand, and the Republic of Moldova on the other hand, concluded in July 1998, refers to the ‘Moldovan language’, in accordance with the definition laid down in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova. This Agreement is therefore part of the acquis which is binding on all Member States. Romania has become a party to this Agreement through the conclusion of the protocol to this Agreement under Article 6(2) of the Accession Act.
The Commission recognises the political sensitivities over this issue and is open to finding practical solutions in future agreements with the Republic of Moldova, to the extent possible and subject to the relevant legal constraints.