Moldova three years since obtaining EU candidate status

The Republic of Moldova marks today three years since obtaining the status of a candidate country for joining the European Union, a defining moment in the country's European path. During this period, according to Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov, the Republic of Moldova and the European Union have managed to analyze a very large volume of information regarding the alignment of national legislation with European requirements.

The candidate country status was officially granted to the Republic of Moldova on June 23, 2022, during the European Council held in Brussels. The decision was made in the context of the new geopolitical configuration generated by the war in Ukraine and was supported by all 27 EU member states.


“The EU has reaffirmed its role as the main strategic partner of Moldova, providing constant support for essential reforms in the field of the rule of law, human rights, freedom of the press, and strengthening of civil society. This path reflects a clear choice: the future of the Republic of Moldova is in Europe. Together, in the European family!” states the message of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.


In the three years since obtaining candidate status, Moldovan authorities have taken concrete steps towards aligning legislation and institutions with European standards. 


“It is a record time in which a very large volume of information has been analyzed, both on our side and from the Commission and the member states. This shows our openness and firm commitment, but also the openness we have received from Brussels and from other European capitals, which have seen this as an opportunity for us and allowed us to demonstrate how committed we are to this process. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia created this geopolitical window for several states that wish for a future in the European Union. However, not all have managed to harness it to the extent we have reached today,” Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov said.


In December 2023, the European Council approved the opening of accession negotiations, and on June 25, 2024, in Luxembourg, the first intergovernmental EU-Moldova conference took place, officially marking the launch of negotiations.

The negotiation process is conducted based on 33 thematic chapters, grouped into six clusters. The Republic of Moldova has already completed the bilateral screening process for three of them: Cluster I – Fundamental Values, Cluster II – Internal Market, and Cluster VI – External Relations.