Moldovan president says all EU member states reconfirm Moldova ready to open accession negotiations

The European Commission, the European Council and all EU member states reconfirm that Moldova is ready to open accession negotiations on all chapter clusters. This is a sign of unity and determination. We are ready for the next step. President Maia Sandu today delivered a message to this effect at a news conference held jointly with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in Chisinau.

The visit of the European official takes place in the context of the first Moldova – European Union Investment Conference, dedicated to investment opportunities and the economic growth of the country in the European space.

“Moldova is hosting an important investment conference today. We have seen significant commitments for our country’s economy on behalf of private companies and development banks. For us, this is the best proof that the European path delivers results: investment, development, jobs. The European Union’s Growth Plan is turning into roads, energy generation capacity, factories and tangible things for people,” said Maia Sandu.

The official stressed that entrepreneurs were encouraged to invest when they see a country that is moving decisively towards the European Union and aligning itself with European rules.

“They choose to come early, so they can grow their businesses together with us. We earn trust through work, every single day. Attracting investment is essential for the country’s development, for strengthening the economy and improving the standard of living. It is important to prove, through facts, that what we say is translated into concrete actions. We are transforming our economy and our energy vulnerabilities into strengths; we are continuing the necessary reforms, including the difficult ones – the justice reform, which we will see through to the end, and now also the local public administration reform. We are consistent in our reform efforts and quite determined in the process of European integration. This is an important argument for entrepreneurs to come to Moldova and invest here. We also believe that peace in the region and the reconstruction of Ukraine will be additional arguments for attracting investment,” Maia Sandu emphasized.

The Moldovan president highlighted that discussions with Marta Kos had focused on the next steps in the process of joining the European Union.

“The European Commission, the European Council and all member states confirm that Moldova is ready to open accession negotiations on all chapter clusters. I welcome the new steps taken by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union to start preparations for the official opening of the first cluster of chapters – for Moldova and for Ukraine. This is a sign of unity and determination. We are ready for the next step,” she said.

Maia Sandu thanked the European official for the support provided on the path towards the European Union.

“The reforms we are implementing and our path of European integration show that we truly want to improve the lives of our citizens. As we move forward on this path, the benefits become increasingly evident. Thank you for your dedication, support and work done together with us. Likewise, we are grateful for the trust you have in us and which you pass on to all those who are coming today with concrete projects in our country, so that together we can build a European Moldova,” the head of state concluded.

Moldova submitted its application for EU membership on March 3, 2022, and on June 23, 2022, it got the candidate country status, with a recommendation to continue reforms. In November 2023, European assessments confirmed Moldova’s progress and recommended the opening of accession negotiations, a decision approved by EU leaders in December 2023. On June 25, 2024, the accession negotiations officially started.

In September 2025, Moldova completed the bilateral screening with the EU – a stage that assesses the compatibility of the national legislation with the European acquis. In mid-December 2025, the country launched technical discussions on the first negotiating chapters.

The Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union on June 3 2026 launched preparations for the official opening of Cluster 1 – “Fundamental Values” – in the accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine. According to the Moldovan authorities, through this decision, the country received new confirmation of the progress of its European path.