#69 Mizsei: Beyond Aspirations: What EU Accession Really Means for Moldova | Hosted by Szilard Szelpal Artwork

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#69 Mizsei: Beyond Aspirations: What EU Accession Really Means for Moldova | Hosted by Szilard Szelpal

December 02, 2025 • Central European Affairs Magazine • Season 4 • Episode 16

In the second part of our in-depth conversation with Dr. Kálmán Mizsei, former EU Special Representative and one of the most knowledgeable experts on Moldova, we move from history and identity to the hard geopolitical questions shaping the country's future. We explore where Moldova truly stands in its EU accession process, why internal reforms and EU institutional changes are equally essential, and how Russian influence, energy dependence, and Transnistria continue to complicate the path forward.

Dr. Mizsei offers a rare insider’s view on Moldova’s political landscape, the role of President Maia Sandu, the limitations of neutrality, and the economic and security “quick wins” Moldova must achieve in the years ahead. This episode goes far beyond headlines—unpacking the structural, political, and strategic dilemmas that define one of Europe’s most fragile frontiers.

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