Republic of Moldova opens negotiations on Fundamental Values Cluster

Our country is opening negotiations with the European Union on Cluster 1 – Fundamental Values. The Intergovernmental Conference Republic of Moldova – European Union, the event that marked the opening of the negotiations, took place today in Luxembourg, with the participation of the delegation led by Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

He noted that the opening of negotiations makes the EU accession process tangible for citizens and sends an important signal: the Republic of Moldova honors its commitments and delivers results, while the European Union recognizes and rewards this progress.

“EU accession remains the absolute priority of the Republic of Moldova – a strategic objective enshrined in the Constitution and supported by citizens. In this process, the opening of negotiations on the Fundamental Values Cluster has a special significance, because the entire accession process is based on democracy, the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, an efficient public administration and sound public finances. These are the values that the Republic of Moldova shares with European states and the reforms that people expect from state institutions,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister stressed that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova already feel the concrete benefits of the European path, including through connection to the Single Euro Payments Area – SEPA, EU roaming at domestic rates, and closer integration with the European market, institutions and policies. Recently, more than 1 billion euros in sustainable investments were mobilized at the Investment Conference, of which almost one-third comes from the private sector.

He also highlighted the progress made in strengthening democracy, increasing the resilience of institutions, combating disinformation, monitoring the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns, as well as advancing justice reform: “We have not yielded to pressure and we have not deviated from our democratic path. On the contrary, we have strengthened our democracy, launched the local public administration reform, reinforced institutions and continued to work consistently despite all challenges. We have shown that the Republic of Moldova is a reliable partner, a solidary neighbor of Ukraine and a future member state determined to bring added value to the European Union.”

Referring to the next steps, the Prime Minister said that the Republic of Moldova will continue to promote reforms with determination, responsibility and good faith, and the authorities will work towards opening the other clusters as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister reiterated that the objective of the Republic of Moldova remains clear: our country must be ready to assume the obligations of an EU member state by 2030.

“We return home with a clear understanding of the work that awaits us and with an even stronger determination to deliver results. The motivation for our reforms comes, first and foremost, from the citizens – from their desire to live in a country with functioning institutions, justice and more opportunities at home. That is why we persevere and that is why the Republic of Moldova will continue to advance towards the great European family,” declared Munteanu.

The Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg is the second meeting of this kind, after the one on 25 June 2024, which marked the official launch of Chișinău’s accession negotiations with the EU. The decision to open accession negotiations on Cluster 1 Fundamental Values will be welcomed at the EU summit in Brussels on 18–19 June.