European Union Ambassador to Moldova says gradual integration into EU can bring additional benefits to country before accession

The gradual integration into the European Union might provide Moldova with additional benefits before formal accession. European Union’s Ambassador to Moldova Iwona Piórko has made statements to this effect during the “We and Europe” programme on Radio Moldova.

According to the ambassador, Moldova already benefits from more gradual integration mechanisms, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), visa liberalization, participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and the elimination of roaming charges. Going forward, cooperation could be expanded into such areas as digitalization, energy, defense and transport.

“Moldova is a leader among leaders in this regard, because it already has the DCFTA, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement, visa liberalization and now membership in SEPA, where fees are lower when you transfer money to European Union member states or to Moldova from European Union member states. I understand that we are talking about 330 million lei, which means significant savings and the same applies to roaming,” Iwona Piórko said.

The ambassador noted that gradual integration did not involve only access to concrete benefits before accession, but also the preparation of institutions and public administration for membership in the European Union. In this regard, the authorities are expected to identify the areas in which Moldova could advance more rapidly, taking into account the needs of civil society, academia and the business community.

“There are certain areas relevant to all candidate countries, such as the digital sector, energy, defense, and transport. (...) It must be a win-win process and it must also be of interest to us. But we will continue this conversation, and we are ready to support this gradual integration, because it is not only about experiencing the benefits of enlargement on both sides before it takes place, but also, for example, about increasing absorption capacity and administrative capacity, learning and training. This makes you better prepared and stronger when you join the EU and I support this approach,” the EU ambassador emphasized.

Referring to the Transnistrian region, Iwona Piórko reiterated the European Union’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova. According to the ambassador, the reintegration process is the responsibility of the Moldovan authorities, while Brussels supports measures aimed at bringing the two banks of the Dniester closer together.

“I believe that the form of this convergence fund is still being developed, but I can tell you that the European Union supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Moldova, while the reintegration process is organized by Moldova and is Moldova’s responsibility, and we support reintegration measures,” the ambassador said in an interview with Radio Moldova.

The diplomat said that economic ties between the two banks of the Dniester were already developing, including through the Transnistrian region’s trade relations with the European Union. At the same time, the EU supports confidence-building initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between communities on both banks.

“We see that reintegration measures have been boosted, including in the economy and in protecting citizens on both banks of the Dniester. I must say that economic integration is already taking place to a certain extent because, for example, trade from the left bank is already conducted to a very large extent with the European Union. Therefore, we support these efforts and, likewise, we have confidence-building measures,” Iwona Piórko said.

Asked whether the reintegration of the Transnistrian region could become an impediment to the process of joining the European Union, Iwona Piórko gave a firm answer, also referring to statements by European officials.

“There is sometimes a discussion about whether the reintegration of the Transnistrian region could become an obstacle to your European integration. I can only repeat, as Ms. Kaja Kallas and Marta Kos have said, that it will not become an obstacle,” the European Union’s ambassador to Moldova said.

On October 13, 2026, at a meeting of the General Affairs Council of the European Union held in Luxembourg, Moldova officially opened two more negotiating clusters for EU accession: Cluster 2 – Internal Market and Cluster 3 – Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth. In the summer of 2026, Moldova opened the first two negotiating clusters: Cluster 1 – Fundamentals and Cluster 6 – External Relations, which cover areas essential to advancing the process of accession to the European Union.