Prime Minister's speech at Conference - Enlargement Report 2025: Progress and Future Priorities of the Republic of Moldova

Dear colleagues, 

Dear friends of the Republic of Moldova,

This is my first public speech in my new capacity. I have spoken many times, at various conferences, about the Republic of Moldova. I have represented Moldova in many countries and spoke at general assemblies, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, about Moldova's successes. Now, for the first time, I can speak not about other countries' access to the European Union, but about the progress already made by my country – the Republic of Moldova – on the European path. 

It is impressive that from the sad period we experienced, we have moved into a new stage of hope, with a future for all of us, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, and especially for our children and grandchildren. This is thanks to people like you, those in this room, many officials, experts, and professionals who worked day and night. 

We now not only have confidence in the power of Moldovans to work together but also 100 pages of the European Commission's Enlargement Report for 2025, detailing that Moldova is working hard. The words of praise are well-deserved and put an even greater burden of responsibility on us for tomorrow. We take pleasure in the results we have achieved, but the euphoria lasts just a few minutes, after which we realize we have even more work to do. 

The Commission's conclusion is clear: our country has achieved the greatest leap in preparedness for accession since obtaining candidate status. We have made progress on every negotiation chapter – from rule of law and economy to energy, digitalization, education, food safety, and social policies. You know these progress details because you and many others who are not here today made them happen! Page by page, and legal norm by legal norm.

In just one year, only one year, Moldova advanced four times faster. And this progress is due to people who have read thousands of pages of European legislation, who have worked nights and weekends, and who have participated in negotiations in Brussels to present the Republic of Moldova's position.

Progress is made with teachers educating a European generation of young people, with entrepreneurs working by EU standards, with journalists defending freedom of speech, and with civil society contributing to transparency. Despite all crises and challenges, all these people did not stop progressing and have worked as much in recent years as they would have in ten.

I want to thank everyone, thank you, for making Moldova's European journey not just a light at the end of the tunnel, but a reality that is already happening.

We know the road is not easy. Moldova has endured many hardships in the last two years. But it is precisely this resilience, this political will, these transformations of state institutions that make Moldova European – a state trusted by its citizens and a reliable partner for the other member states.

Moldova can do it! We have managed crises with dignity, ensured stability, organized fair elections, strengthened state institutions, and progressed in reforms in areas that have stagnated for years – justice, economy, energy, infrastructure. People travel on European roads, can conduct cheaper bank transactions because we integrated into the internal market by joining SEPA, talk on the phone in European states at low rates through 'Roaming like at home'. This should always be – from today onwards – the core of all our reforms and actions – how people's lives improve because of what we do. We are working on economic growth and hope our citizens will enjoy results as soon as next year. 

We know the direction: the Republic of Moldova – a member state of the European Union. We know what we have to do: be ready to conclude the accession negotiations by the end of 2027.

We have a plan – the National Accession Program – we have a dedicated team and an entire country supporting us. We started this journey with hope and continue it with confidence in each other. Consolidation is very important for us, and I believe the European path is a platform for consolidation for us all, regardless of our political or personal views, to reach a national consensus. 

This is our role: to lead Moldova on the European path and not allow ourselves to be stopped. Our home is Europe, and we will bring Europe home. 

Thank you.