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European Agenda of the Republic of Moldova - the 2024 review
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov: '2024 has been a year full of achievements for the Republic of Moldova. The European agenda was marked by the actual opening of the EU accession negotiations at the first Intergovernmental Conference on 25 June in Luxembourg. This historic event has started several essential processes for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova'.
Agenda europeană a Republicii Moldova - bilanțul anului 2024
Enlargement Package EU - Republic of Moldova
The European Union Enlargement Package is a set of strategic documents that the European Commission publishes each year. It covers the progress made by candidate countries and potential candidate countries that aspire to become members of the European Union.
The Package includes a detailed assessments of the political, economic and legislative reforms required in order to meet the accession criteria, also known as the Copenhagen criteria: stability of democratic institutions, functioning market economy and the capacity to effectively implement EU legislation.
An important element of the Package is the Progress Report, which review each candidate country's situation, their achievements, challenges and further steps to be done, thus supporting governments to focus on necessary reforms, such as improving laws, economy and the fight against corruption.
2023 ENLARGEMENT PACKAGE EU - REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
In the 2023 Enlargement Package, the European Commission recommended the European Council to open accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova. In addition, the Republic of Moldova has been included for the first time in the annual assessment of its readiness for EU membership.
Thus, the 2023 Enlargement Report for the Republic of Moldova presents the achievements registered on the basis of the 9 recommendations made by the European Commission and the measures to be completed by March 2024 in the areas of justice reform, fight against corruption and deoligarchisation, as well as the steps needed to take in order to meet the requirements for the political, economic and 33 chapters of EU law (EU acquis).
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The-EUMoldova-factsheet-2023_EN
2024 ENLARGEMENT PACKAGE EU - REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
In the 2024 Enlargement Package, published on October 30 by the European Commission, according to the Report, the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress over the last year, covering the period from 15 June 2023 to 1 September 2024.
According to the evaluation, the Republic of Moldova has made progress in 31 out of 33 negotiating chapters and there is no chapter on which it has regressed. Compared to the previous reporting period (2022 - 2023), the Commission found that most progress has been made in eight chapters – consumer and health protection (chapter 28), education (chapter 26), transport (chapter 14), environment (chapter 27), customs union (chapter 29), regional policy and coordination of structural instruments (chapter 22), intellectual property rights (chapter 7), statistics (chapter 18).
In just 12 months, from the perspective of preparation for the implementation of the EU acquis, improvements were observed in five chapters: energy (chapter 15), environment (chapter 27), education and culture (chapter 26), regional policy and coordination of structural instruments (chapter 22), and customs union (chapter 29).
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The-EUMoldova-factsheet-2024_EN
2024_Republic of Moldova_Level of preparation and registered progress
Handbook on the negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union
Deputy Prime Minister for the European Integration Cristina Gherasimov: ’Handbook on the negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union is an important tool for our European path and a useful guide for all those involved in this process. The Handbook contains detailed information about the steps our country has taken so far, practical solutions for possible challenges, examples and lessons learned from the experience of other countries that have gone through this exercise.’
‘Handbook on the negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union’ English version available here
‘Handbook on the negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union’ Romanian version available here
Joint Statement Following the 8th Meeting of the Republic of Moldova - European Union Association Council
The eighth meeting of the Republic of Moldova - European Union Association Council was held in Brussels on 21st May 2024.
The meeting was co-chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Dorin Recean, with the participation of the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi.
In Brussels, they reviewed the progress in relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, focusing on the implementation of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, as well as the preparations for the formal commencement of accession negotiations.
A joint declaration was issued following the eighth meeting of the Republic of Moldova-European Union Association Council.
The full text of the declaration in english can be found below:
Coordination Mechanism for Moldova's EU accession process, and the organisation and functioning of the negotiating team
The Cabinet of Ministers approved on 13 March 20024 a new Coordination Mechanism for Moldova's EU accession process, as well as the organisation and functioning of the negotiating team. This decision reflects the transition of the Republic of Moldova to a new stage in its relationship with the European Union, following the historic decision of the European Council in December 2023 to open accession negotiations with our country.
The Government Decision sets out an updated framework for the coordination of EU accession and outlines the organisation and functioning of the negotiating team.
The draft provisions can be found by clicking on the link below:
Accession process
On 8 November 2023, the European Commission adopted the Enlargement Package for 2023, recommending to the European Council the initiation of accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova. Notably, this marks the first comprehensive assessment of Moldova's progress by the European Commission, integrating it into the annual assessment cycle for EU accession readiness. The Enlargement Package underscores Moldova's advancements in implementing structural reforms, with the European Commission proposing recommendations to further advance the European agenda in the upcoming year. The Enlargement Report outlines Moldova's achievements on the 9 recommendations set forth by the European Commission in June 2022, detailing measures to be undertaken by March 2024 in areas such as justice reform, de-oligarchisation, and anti-corruption efforts. It also assesses performance thus far and outlines steps necessary for progress across political, economic, and the 33 chapters of the EU acquis. The complete 2023 Enlargement Package is available for review here.
To facilitate the drafting of such an opinion, the European Commission dispatched two sections of the questionnaire concerning Moldova's application for EU membership to authorities in Chisinau on 11 and 19 April 2022.
The responses provided in this questionnaire reflect the current situation in our country, illustrating the level of readiness for accession to the European Union. The initial section of the completed questionnaire was submitted to the European Commission on 22 April 2022, followed by the second portion on 12 May 2022.
On 17 June 2022, the European Commission issued its opinion on the membership application, recommending to the EU Council the granting of candidate country status contingent upon the implementation of measures across several domains.
Subsequently, on 23 June 2022, the European Council acknowledged the European aspirations of the Republic of Moldova and opted to confer upon it the status of candidate country for EU accession.
In light of these developments, the European Commission was tasked with reporting to the European Council on the fulfilment of the conditions outlined in its opinion of 17 June 2022 as part of its routine enlargement package. The European Council will determine the subsequent course of action once all conditions have been satisfactorily met.
To streamline the efforts of national authorities, an action plan for the fulfilment of the 9 conditions outlined by the European Commission was devised. The draft plan underwent deliberation at the National Commission for European Integration (NCEI) meeting on 13 July 2022 and was formally adopted on 4 August 2022.
The Action Plan outlines the subsequent milestones to be reached by the summer of 2023.
Endorsed at the NCEI, the Action Plan underwent consultation by the MFAEI in collaboration with the State Chancellery team and national institutions, along with representatives from civil society and the European Commission.
Comprising actions, timelines, and designated institutions for each of the 9 areas, the document addresses:
1. Justice reform;
2. Electoral framework;
3. Anti-corruption measures;
4. De-oligarchisation and mitigation of private interest influence;
5. Combating organised crime and money laundering;
6. Enhancing public services and public administration reform;
7. Public finance management;
8. Engagement of civil society;
9. Protection of human rights.
Sources and additional documents:
1. Semnarea Cererii de aderare a Republicii Moldova la Uniunea Europeană
2. Recepționarea primei părți a Chestionarului Comisiei Europene privind Cererea de aderare
3. Răspunsurile Republicii Moldova la Chestionar
5. Concluziile Consiliului European privind cererea de aderare
6. Planul de acțiuni pentru implementarea condițiilor Comisiei Europene
7. Action Plan for the implementation of the steps proposed by the European Commission
8. Commission Analytical report on Moldova's alignment with the EU acquis
10. Infografic desprea realizarea celor 9 recomdări formulate de Comisia Europeană
11. Oral Update of the European Commission on the implementation of the 9 steps
12. Proiect Hotărâre de Guvern aprobare PNA 2023 - 2027
13. Notă Informativă PNA 2023 - 2027
15. Planul Național de Acțiuni pentru Aderarea Republicii Moldova la Uniunea Europeană
16. 2023 European Commission Enlargement Package, 2023 Comisia Europeană Pachet de Extindere (RO)
17. Concluziile Consiliului UE pentru afaceri generale privind extinderea, 12 decembrie 2023
18. Concluziile Consiliului European privind lansarea negocierilor de aderare, 14 - 15 decembrie 2023