Moldova: one step closer to EU accession

Moldova has officially been invited to present its negotiating position on two more chapter clusters of the EU accession process — the internal market, and competitiveness and inclusive growth — announced Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov. The development, unveiled on October 7, is preparing the official opening expected at the next intergovernmental conference, while Chișinău also seeks to keep advancing in the negotiating areas still remaining.

According to Gherasimov, the Moldovan authorities are ready to move forward, and the support of the Irish presidency of the EU Council is helping to keep the country's accession on the agenda. The current invitation still belongs to the stage preceding the opening of negotiations, in which Moldova presents the position it holds on the policy areas concerned. So far the country has begun substantive negotiations on two chapter clusters: the one covering fundamental issues was opened on June 15, and the one on external relations on July 14. The four remaining clusters cover the internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth; the green transition and sustainable connectivity; and resources, agriculture and cohesion. Of these, preparations for opening the first two have now reached a new stage.

At the EU–Moldova Association Council meeting held in Brussels on October 5, the two sides reaffirmed that their common strategic goal is the country's EU membership, and spoke favorably of the progress made in the rule of law, judicial reform and the fight against corruption. At the same time, the EU side called for further efforts to strengthen an independent and impartial judiciary, and for the investigation of corruption cases, prosecutions and final rulings to deliver lasting results. The financial support linked to the reforms is also continuing: on October 5, the European Commission disbursed 157 million euros to Moldova after the country fulfilled eighteen reform commitments during the assessed period. This brought the total performance-based EU funding paid out so far under the Reform and Growth Facility to around 661 million euros, which the EU earmarks to support changes that boost economic growth and improve the business environment. The Association Council also reviewed the security context of the accession process, stressing the need to strengthen Moldova's resilience against Russian interference and hybrid threats. The two sides condemned the increasingly frequent airspace violations by Russian drones and missiles, and the EU once again reaffirmed its support for Moldova's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ugar