Negotiations will begin for both countries on Tuesday in Luxembourg, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union said on X.

The move comes at a critical time for both nations with Ukraine in the middle of an invasion by Russia and Moldova facing a Russian-led insurgence by a breakaway state.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the European Union for its “robust political will” to begin negotiations with his country despite the current Russian aggression.

“We look forward to next week,” Zelensky said on X. “We congratulate our Moldova friends on this significant step toward our shared European future. We will make the EU stronger together. I am grateful to everyone on our team who worked hard to make this historic step a reality.

“Millions of Ukrainians and indeed generations of our people are realizing their European dream. Ukraine is returning to Europe, where it has belonged for centuries, as a full-fledged member of the European community.”

Moldova President Maia Sandu confirmed on social media that she also signed a decree allowing accession negotiations with the European Union to move forward.

“Becoming an EU member is our path to peace, prosperity and a better life for all citizens,” Sandu said on X. “Wishing our delegation every success as they officially launch negotiations in Luxembourg next week.”

The European Union announced earlier this month that Moldova and Ukraine both met the requirements to join the group. All 27 countries must agree to allow them in. Hungary and its President Viktor Orban are expected to be the main roadblock for both countries.

Orban, who has maintained a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, had criticized Ukraine for its past corruption.

Source : UPI

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At least four people have been detained in Tajikistan in connection with the June 23 abduction and disappearance of Shuhrat Ismatulloev, the deputy chairman of one of the country’s leading banks, sources told RFE/RL on July 2.

The identities of the detainees have not been released, but sources close to the investigation said they were all former security officers who were allegedly working together with organized-crime figures. One of the detainees was reportedly a former officer with the Interior Ministry and the state Anti-Corruption Agency.

One source said there were four kidnappers who were driving a car with special security-service license plates that enabled them to violate traffic regulations without being stopped by police.

Ismatulloev, the 49-year-old deputy head of Oriyonbank, was forced into a dark car in Dushanbe on the evening of June 23. He has not been heard from since.

Meanwhile, authorities in Moldova said a Tajik citizen who was detained after allegedly shooting to death two security officers on June 30 at the Chisinau International Airport had died in custody.

Tajik officials identified the man as Rustam Ashurov, a suspected member of the organized-crime group that has been tied to the Ismatulloev abduction. Ashurov was wounded by security personnel during the incident at the airport.

Tajik prosecutors said Ashurov, “after committing this crime, fled to the Republic of Moldova through the Republic of Turkey in order to subsequently hide in the countries of the European Union.”

Ashurov was sentenced to 13 years in prison in Dushanbe in November 2018 after being convicted of stealing $100,000 from a currency-exchange office. His sentence was later reduced to 9 1/2 years, but he was released about two years ago.

Moldovan Acting Prosecutor-General Ion Munteanu earlier had said Ashurov would face trial in Moldova over the airport shootings.

Officials in Tajikistan said they believed the kidnappers had been closely following Ismatulloev since at least the beginning of June. The motive for the abduction remains under investigation.

Police and Emergencies Ministry workers were reportedly looking for the vehicle involved in the kidnapping in the Zeravshan River basin.

Source: Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

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