Moldovan economic development minister on visit to Brussels

Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Doina Nistor paid an official visit to Brussels, and had several meetings with officials from European institutions. The discussions focused on deepening economic cooperation and integrating the Republic of Moldova more deeply into the European Union's market and regulations.

“We are discussing with European partners how we can bring more concrete benefits for the people and businesses of the Republic of Moldova. We are developing a new economy based on added value, innovation and high productivity,” stated the minister.

During the visit, Doina Nistor had meetings with three European commissioners who expressed full support for Moldova's European path.

The steps needed to bring Moldova’s economy closer to European standards were analyzed during the discussion with Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Sabine Weyand, Director-General for Trade at the European Commission. Moreover, emphasis was placed on diversifying exports and increasing the added value of Moldovan products.

“We are already strongly anchored in the European economy: over 67% of our exports reach the EU market,” Nistor emphasized.

The minister also addressed the EU-supported Growth Plan, a considerable support aimed at modernizing infrastructure, strengthening business environment and optimizing public services in the Republic of Moldova.

Another important topic was agriculture. In the meeting with Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture, the results of liberalizing access for seven Moldovan agricultural products to the European market were discussed. For instance, apple exports increased from 6.8 million lei in 2021 to 273 million lei in 2024, and grape exports from 216 million lei to 768 million lei.

“We need a resilient agricultural sector, capable of withstanding climate changes, based on digitization, smart solutions, and sustainable practices,” pointed out the minister.

Finally, discussions with Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense, and Timo Pesonen, Director-General for Defense Industry, focused on integrating the Republic of Moldova into the European value chain in the defense sector. Moldova aims to contribute expertise in electronics, cybersecurity, advanced engineering, and production of equipment such as sensors, communication systems, software, and drones.