(24 Jun 2022)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chisinau - 24 June 2022
1. Various exteriors of Moldova's Parliament building
2. Wide of Presidential palace of Moldova
3. Moldova's President, Maia Sandu, arriving at podium
4. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Maia Sandu, Moldova's President:
"This event will not change overnight the things in our country, but it'll give us greater support from the EU on the difficult path we follow to consolidate peace, improve living conditions for the people and create opportunities for investors. The status of candidate country gives us a clear direction for development, support in this direction and, more importantly, hope. We're a small and vulnerable country that'll be more safe in the EU family."  
5. Wide of statue
6. Mid of traffic
7. Mid of people walking
8. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Nadejda Friptu, medical worker:
"I am very happy that we will also be in the big European family, it's a very good thing for Moldova. I understand that the candidate status does not mean we are a full member yet, we have a lot to work and many obligations to get to European level."
9. Mid of traffic
10. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Victoria Matrica, student:
"I think for Moldova and its citizens, many opportunities will open up. I hope that the laws will become harsher and more respected. Also, for the young ones that want to go to universities, it'll become easier because, like in the pandemic, it was very difficult for our students to go (abroad) for studies because Moldova was not in the EU."
11. Father with child on shoulders in park
12. Moldova and EU flags
13. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Augustin Stepanov, local resident:
"Geographically, we are on the European continent. To join the most prosperous part of the continent is an achievement. Our parents fought for the alphabet (Latin alphabet instead of Cyrillic), for more freedom. We have expectations for the children that are growing up. We hope to be better economically and culturally - we look for a better future."  
14. Various of central Chisinau
STORYLINE:
People in Moldova reacted on Friday to the announcement from the European Union that it had granted EU candidate status to the poor non-NATO Eastern European country bordering war-torn Ukraine.
The former Soviet republic — landlocked between Romania and Ukraine — applied to join the 27-nation bloc just days after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Joining the EU would not offer the country, which is constitutionally neutral, any security guarantees like NATO membership would, but citizens on the streets of the capital Chisinau expressed joy over the development.
"It's a very good thing for Moldova," medical worker, Nadejda Friptu, said.
"I understand that the candidate status doesn't mean we're a full member yet, we have a lot to work and many obligations to get to European level," she added.
Student, Victoria Matrica said she was also pleased as it could open "many opportunities" for Moldova and its citizens, especially for students who want to study in other countries.
"For the young ones that want to go to universities, it'll become easier because, like in the pandemic, it was very difficult for our students to go (abroad) for studies because Moldova was not in the EU," she said.
Along the road of becoming an EU member, Moldova will need to enact reforms in areas such as tackling corruption, organized crime, strengthening human rights and the rule of law.
The European Commission said it will monitor Moldova's progress in meeting the set-out criteria, and come up with a "detailed assessment" by the end of 2022.
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