Seventy-six years of European unity, solidarity, 20 years of marking Europe Day in Moldova

Today, on May 9, 2026, Moldova marks the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations of the European Union (EU) and, as a result, led to the development in Europe of an atmosphere of peace, democracy, prosperity, solidarity and cooperation.

Moldova has celebrated Europe Day since May 2006, thus marking its 20th national anniversary.

This year also marks more important jubilees related to the country’s progress on its European integration path, as follows:

- 21 years since the adoption of the first Moldova – European Union Action Plan under the European Neighbourhood Policy (February 22, 2005);

- 17 years since the launch of the Eastern Partnership (May 7, 2009);

- 12 years since the signing of the Association Agreement between Moldova and the European Union, which also included the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (signed on June 27, 2014 and ratified on July 2, 2014 by the parliament of Moldova);

- 12 years since the entry into force of the European Union decision on visa liberalization for citizens of Moldova (April 28, 2014);

- 4 years since Moldova officially got the status of candidate country for accession to the European Union (June 23, 2022);

- 2 years since the European Union officially opened accession negotiations with Moldova (June 25, 2024).

The country’s European integration has provided, and continues to bring, a wide range of possibilities and opportunities for residents on both banks of the Dniester river: sustainable development and modernization projects, programmes to promote confidence-building measures, a higher standard of living for the population, higher-quality and more competitive public services (social, medical, educational, etc.), visa-free travel for citizens of Moldova in the European Union, advantageous foreign trade operations and so on.

The advancement of the EU accession process also stimulates progress in the country’s reintegration policies, including the restoration of a single national social and economic space, extending quality, European educational standards to young people throughout the country and taking swifter measures to improve the human rights situation in the eastern districts of the country.

The attractiveness of the European Union and of the right bank Dniester has already been proved in relation to the residents of Moldova living in the Transnistrian region (357,000 hold Moldovan citizenship, 338,000 possess national biometric passports, etc.) and to economic agents in the same area (100 per cent of foreign trade transactions are carried out on the basis of Moldovan permits and through legally controlled customs posts, 71 per cent of exports are meant for the European Union market, 48 per cent of imports into the region come from the same market, etc.).

The active involvement of the European Union has contributed to the optimal management of the acute energy crisis in the eastern districts of the country, a crisis artificially provoked by external actors, as well as to the constant support for the framework approach to the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, exclusively by peaceful means, at the negotiating table, and with full respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The European Union is a strategic partner of Moldova which, through the multidimensional assistance it provides, supports the country in promoting vital structural reforms, strengthening institutional capacities, consolidating statehood and national security, building a safer, more prosperous and more stable future, and, of course, creating solid preconditions for a peaceful and lasting reintegration of the two banks of Dniester.

To greater achievements for Moldova in the large European family!

Happy Europe Day!