In 2027, Republic of Moldova to host Conference of Speakers of EU Candidate Countries

In 2027, Moldova will host the next Conference of speakers of EU candidate countries. The decision was taken at the inaugural meeting held in Belgrade, where the presidents of the participating legislatures signed a joint declaration on the establishment of a permanent platform for interparliamentary cooperation.

According to the Parliament’s Communication and Public Relations Department, the document was signed by Speaker Igor Grosu together with his counterparts from the EU candidate states, during the conference organized on 7–8 July in Belgrade.

The declaration lays the foundations for a permanent platform for dialogue, coordination, and mutual support among the parliaments of candidate countries and underlines the strategic importance of the European Union accession process. The document highlights the role of parliaments in promoting legislative reforms, exercising parliamentary oversight, and strengthening democratic institutions throughout the European integration process.

The signatories reaffirmed their commitment to the European perspective of the candidate states, including through the effective implementation of the European Union acquis and the continuation of reforms in line with European principles and standards.

At the same time, the declaration provides for intensified interparliamentary cooperation, the exchange of experience and best practices, as well as the periodic organization of consultations on issues of common interest regarding the EU accession process.

The new platform will bring together all forms of cooperation between the parliaments of the candidate states, including at the level of presidents of legislatures, specialized committees, parliamentary groups, and parliamentary secretariats. Within this permanent mechanism for dialogue and cooperation, the Conference of Speakers of EU Candidate Countries will be held annually.