European Commissioner reconfirms EU support for advancing reforms in European integration process

Moldova has made significant progress in implementing the reforms required on its European path, and the European Union will continue to support the Moldovan authorities, in order to advance this process further. European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib has made statements in Chisinau, who is making her first visit to country today.

“This visit is very important. You are advancing so progressively on your path toward European integration. The European Union is by your side every step of the way,” the European Commissioner said at a news conference held alongside Minister of Labour and Social Protection Natalia Plugaru and Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin. The event was held following a visit to the UID 12 Refugee Accommodation Centre, which benefits from European Union’s support and provides safe accommodation, care, psychosocial support, rehabilitation services and social inclusion for both citizens of Moldova and Ukrainian refugees.





The European official stressed that Moldova had proved that it was a reliable partner, and that the country must continue its reforms, in order to draw closer to the EU and provide better conditions and equal rights for all citizens.

“Joining the European Union does not mean joining an institution. It actually means joining a large family that is capable of protecting its citizens. Moldova has already showed that it is a reliable partner in this large European family. The next step is to continue aligning your civil protection system and strengthening all national capacities. (...) Moldova is making enormous progress, not only through legislative changes, but also through the responsibility it constantly proves,” Hadja Lahbib said.

The European Commissioner emphasized that Moldova can count on EU support at every step it takes on its European path.

“Moldova still has reforms ahead that need to be implemented in fundamental areas, including equality and non-discrimination. This is how you will continue your path toward European integration. I have a very simple message for the citizens of Moldova. You have already shown Europe what kind of partners you are. And now, as you continue this journey toward the European Union, you can count on me, you can count on Europe, at every step you take and at every moment of this journey,” the European Commissioner said.

According to her, Moldova has felt the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine more than any other country, with the impact being felt through pressure on the energy system, security and the economy, as well as through disinformation campaigns.

The European Commissioner noted that, since 2022, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the EU had provided the country with more than 93 million euros in humanitarian assistance, both for Ukrainian refugees and for the communities hosting them.

“Today we are entering a new phase. In practice, several years after the beginning of the war, humanitarian aid is gradually being reduced. The Refugee Response Plan will end this year, and we will build another system, a new long-term system of inclusion for refugees. We want to ensure that no one is left behind, especially people with the greatest needs,” Hadja Lahbib noted.

For her part, Labour and Social Protection Minister Natalia Plugaru stressed that European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib’s visit to Chisinau was taking place at an important moment for Moldova, as the country is moving from responding to the humanitarian crisis toward building much stronger, more resilient and more inclusive social systems in the long term.

“For us, this is actually the meaning of European integration, because European integration does not only mean harmonizing legislation on paper; it means institutions that protect people’s rights, provide equal opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind. We want integration to be visible not only in Brussels, but also in the offices of social workers, in community services, in the lives of people with disabilities and in the support provided to refugee families,” the Minister of Labour and Social Protection said.





Natalia Plugaru noted that, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Moldova had established 138 refugee accommodation centres, through which more than 60,000 displaced people have passed over the past four years. At present, nine centres continue to operate in the country, providing support to approximately 520 refugees.

“Every person has the right to protection, dignity and the opportunity to live an independent life. All these measures are part of the same vision: a Moldova where social protection is accessible, inclusive and centred on people’s rights,” Natalia Plugaru concluded.

During the event, Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin said that the challenges and crises faced by Moldova in recent years had provided important lessons. The authorities have learned that preparedness does not begin when an emergency occurs; institutions must be prepared in advance, with clear procedures, trained personnel, warning systems and the ability to coordinate state resources rapidly.

“Today, we are turning the experience we have accumulated into lasting institutional capacity. Moldova has built a new architecture for crisis management and critical infrastructure protection. We are strengthening coordination between institutions, developing the National Early Warning System and investing in prevention, preparedness and response capacity,” the interior minister said.





At the same time, the minister pointed out that Moldova is not only a beneficiary of European support. According to the official, Moldova is already contributing its own capacities to the common emergency response. Thus, since 2024, the country has been a member of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, through which states coordinate their efforts and provide mutual assistance when an emergency exceeds a country’s national response capacity.

“Moldova receives support to strengthen its capacities, but it is also prepared to contribute when its European partners need assistance. European Union support has been essential for developing these capacities. From training and joint exercises to the development of the early warning system and projects aimed at reducing disaster risks, our cooperation is already producing results. Our next goal is to turn this expertise into stronger operational capacities through investments, equipment and technology, but most importantly through the continuous training of people. For citizens, all these mechanisms and reforms must mean something very simple: a state that identifies risks earlier, issues warnings faster, responds more effectively and protects its citizens when a crisis occurs. Our partnership with the European Union helps us turn this experience into a more modern and resilient system, capable not only of responding to today’s crises, but also of preparing for those that may arise in the future. (...) Ultimately, all these efforts have the same objective: a better-prepared state, capable of protecting its citizens and contributing, alongside the European Union, to the safety and protection of the citizens of Europe,” Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin concluded.

European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib is making her first official visit to today. The agenda began with a meeting with President Maia Sandu. It was followed by discussions with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan and a visit by the European official to the Moldova Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR), which conducted a practical demonstration in her presence, using equipment provided with the European Union’s support.