{"id":76674,"date":"2026-01-08T13:33:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libmod.de\/eine-neue-runde-der-eu-erweiterung-wird-moldawien-zu-einer-erfolgsgeschichte\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T17:47:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T16:47:06","slug":"a-new-round-of-eu-enlargement-will-moldova-become-a-success-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libmod.de\/en\/a-new-round-of-eu-enlargement-will-moldova-become-a-success-story\/","title":{"rendered":"A new round of EU enlargement: Will Moldova become a&nbsp;success story?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=\u201c\u201d]<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76643\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76643\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img class=\"wp-image-76643 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/libmodredaktion.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20260108140002\/imago835803295_1200x500.jpg\" alt width=\"1200\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/libmodredaktion.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20260108140002\/imago835803295_1200x500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/libmodredaktion.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20260108140002\/imago835803295_1200x500-770x321.jpg 770w, https:\/\/libmodredaktion.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20260108140002\/imago835803295_1200x500-768x320.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76643\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Imago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=\u201d.vc_custom_1508251598805{margin-top: 30px !important;}\u201d][vc_column width=\u201c2\/3\u201d css=\u201d.vc_custom_1508252250311{padding-right: 20px !important;}\u201d][vc_column_text css=\u201c\u201d]<\/p>\n<h3>As the European Union adjusts its policies in prepa\u00adration for a&nbsp;new round of enlargement, relations between Moldova and the European Union (EU) have entered a&nbsp;new stage of devel\u00adopment. Natalia Stercul (Foreign Policy Associ\u00adation of the Republic von Moldova) analyses the&nbsp;situation.<\/h3>\n<p><!--more-->[\/\u200bvc_\u200bcolumn_\u200btext]<\/p><div class=\"gem-button-container gem-button-position-inline thegem-button-69ff1d577282c9279    \"><a title=\"Policy Paper: A new round of EU enlargement: Will Moldova become a success story?\" class=\"gem-button gem-button-size-small gem-button-style-flat gem-button-text-weight-normal\" data-ll-effect=\"drop-right-without-wrap\" style=\"border-radius: 3px;\" onmouseleave onmouseenter href=\"https:\/\/libmodredaktion.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20260108134932\/LibMod_PolicyBrief_EN_FINAL-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">DOWNLOAD PDF<\/a><\/div> [vc_\u200bcolumn_\u200btext css=\u201c\u201d]The Republic of Moldova has been imple\u00admenting reforms and meeting the condi\u00adtions and completing proce\u00addures necessary for EU accession, all at an accel\u00aderated pace. The European Commission has issued a&nbsp;positive assessment of the progress achieved by Moldova in 2025 within the framework of the European integration process. This provides grounds to believe that 2026 may be a&nbsp;decisive year for trans\u00adforming technical progress into sustainable reforms based on democ\u00adratic values and the rule of law. Such a&nbsp;trans\u00adfor\u00admation will require both the contin\u00adu\u00adation of the current pace of reform imple\u00admen\u00adtation, based on the estab\u00adlished clusters, and an improvement in the quali\u00adtative indicators for the trans\u00adfor\u00admation process. The efforts necessary extend consid\u00aderably beyond the mere fulfilment of technical require\u00adments. At the same time, Moldova now has an oppor\u00adtunity both to accel\u00aderate the dynamics of European integration within the estab\u00adlished timelines, and with it a&nbsp;chance to make itself a&nbsp;success story among the Eastern Partnership countries.\n<h2>Cooper\u00adation between Moldova and the EU in the condi\u00adtions of accel\u00ader\u00adating European integration<\/h2>\n<p>Cordial relations between Moldova and the European Union are contributing to the accel\u00ader\u00adation of the European integration process, which is being shaped, in part, by a&nbsp;high level of EU political support for the reforms under\u00adtaken by the Moldova, as well as by the financial and technical assis\u00adtance being provided by the EU. The EU is Moldova\u2019s main trading partner. In 2024, Moldovan exports to the EU amounted to USD 2,392.4 million (9.6% less than the 2023 total), and accounted for 67.3% of the country\u2019s total exports. In the first three quarters of 2025, exports to the EU totalled USD&nbsp;1,788.8 million (2.5% more than in the corre\u00adsponding period of 2024), repre\u00adsenting 68.1% of total exports.<a name=\"_ftnref1\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> EU measures providing temporary full trade liber\u00adal\u00adi\u00adsation for Moldovan agricul\u00adtural products (intro\u00adduced in 2022&nbsp;in a&nbsp;show of solidarity in connection with Russia\u2019s military aggression against Ukraine and subse\u00adquently extended until 24 July 2025) facil\u00adi\u00adtated exports and expanded access for Moldovan producers to the European&nbsp;market.<\/p>\n<p>The EU also mobilised special support measures for Moldova during periods of crisis. These include: direct budget support amounting to EUR 240 million for the most vulnerable consumers amid the energy crisis; human\u00adi\u00adtarian assis\u00adtance worth over EUR 66 million to support vulnerable Ukrainian refugees and their host families in Moldova; and more than EUR 32 million worth of invest\u00adments in Moldova in connection with the Solidarity Lanes initiative, which helps ensure the relia\u00adbility of supply chains and food security.<a name=\"_ftnref2\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftn2\">[2]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For its part, Moldova has been steadily fulfilling its commit\u00adments and making consistent progress along its path towards EU membership. This has opened up additional oppor\u00adtu\u00adnities for the country. For example, the Republic of Moldova succeeded in joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) on 6&nbsp;October 2025. In the first month after the country joined SEPA, the volume of trans\u00adac\u00adtions to and from Moldova rose by EUR 300 million, exceeding EUR 1.3 billion in total.<a name=\"_ftnref3\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftn3\">[3]<\/a> SEPA membership is already gener\u00adating tangible benefits: the direct savings in transfer fees associated with these trans\u00adac\u00adtions amount to approx\u00adi\u00admately EUR 1.4 million.<a name=\"_ftnref4\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftn4\">[4]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The positive dynamics of strategic cooper\u00adation between Moldova and the EU have been signif\u00adi\u00adcantly reinforced by the timely and successful completion of the screening process, the European Commission\u2019s favourable assessment of Moldova\u2019s reform progress (presented in the 2025 country progress report) and the resulting possi\u00adbility of opening three negoti\u00adation clusters. This undoubtedly repre\u00adsents a&nbsp;major break\u00adthrough for Moldova; despite the wide range of internal and external challenges the country continues to face along this&nbsp;path.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova\u2019s success in advancing along the European path sends an important signal to other Eastern Partnership countries, as it demon\u00adstrates that integration is possible not merely in principle but also in practice. This may provide some impetus for further progress and help strengthen the positions of these countries in negoti\u00ada\u00adtions with the EU. More specif\u00adi\u00adcally, Moldova\u2019s successes may serve as a&nbsp;spur to states experi\u00adencing diffi\u00adculties or democ\u00adratic backsliding to make greater efforts to deepen relations with Europe and may also contribute to strength\u00adening regional cooper\u00adation, which could lead to the creation of a&nbsp;united front for addressing common&nbsp;challenges.<\/p>\n<h2>Progress in the EU accession negoti\u00ada\u00adtions as the primary priority of the Republic of Moldova\u2019s foreign&nbsp;policy<\/h2>\n<p>The pro-European author\u00adities of the Republic of Moldova are making every effort to make continuous progress along the country\u2019s European path. This is reflected in the completion or partial completion tasks set for promoting the pro-European agenda. Through its progress on reforms, Moldova met the prereq\u00adui\u00adsites for the launch of accession negoti\u00ada\u00adtions, which took place at the first Moldova\u2013EU Inter\u00adgov\u00adern\u00admental Conference in Luxem\u00adbourg in June 2024. The arrival at this milestone heartened supporters of Moldova\u2019s pro-European trajectory, but it also moved sceptics to ramp up their criticism of Moldova\u2019s European course and Russia to strengthen its efforts to undermine it. As a&nbsp;result, the presi\u00addential elections and the refer\u00adendum on Moldova\u2019s EU accession in 2024, as well as the parlia\u00admentary elections in 2025 were accom\u00adpanied by an unprece\u00addented level of external inter\u00adference in the country\u2019s democ\u00adratic processes, attempts to desta\u00adbilise the state, and heightened internal political confrontation between pro-European and pro-Russian forces. It was in this context that the author\u00adities had to carry out the extensive technical work required to initiate and implement the screening process estab\u00adlished to assess the compliance of Moldovan national legis\u00adlation and admin\u00adis\u00adtrative struc\u00adtures with EU&nbsp;standards.<\/p>\n<p>EU\u2013Moldova Summit, which was held on 4&nbsp;July 2025, marked an important step in the official confir\u00admation of the opening of accession negoti\u00ada\u00adtions. It served as a&nbsp;catalyst for a&nbsp;unified and synchro\u00adnised movement within the EU, carrying historical signif\u00adi\u00adcance for the democ\u00adratic future of the states involved. At the end of the summit, the parties issued a&nbsp;joint decla\u00adration identi\u00adfying the main prior\u00adities for cooper\u00adation going forward: strength\u00adening security and defence; economic and financial assis\u00adtance (including the EU\u2019s allocation of the first tranche of \u20ac270 million under the Moldova Growth Plan for 2025\u20132027); Moldovan conver\u00adgence with the EU Single Market and support for the country\u2019s economic devel\u00adopment; energy security and digital trans\u00adfor\u00admation; border management and the reinforcement of regional security.<a name=\"_ftnref5\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftn5\">[5]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The consti\u00adtu\u00adtional refer\u00adendum in Moldova, in which 50.38% of voters spoke out in favour of amending the Consti\u00adtution to enshrine the country\u2019s European course as irreversible and accession as a&nbsp;strategic objective of the country, was held in conjunction with the 2024 presi\u00addential election that resulted in the victory of the pro-European President Maia Sandu. Together, the refer\u00adendum and the election secured Moldova\u2019s strategic path towards EU membership. The author\u00adities were then faced with the necessity of completing an extensive and complex body of work, which they set about with unprece\u00addented deter\u00admi\u00adnation. The screening process involved the analysis of more than 100,000 pages of national legis\u00adlation and its comparison with the extensive body of EU law (the acquis), requiring signif\u00adicant admin\u00adis\u00adtrative and expert effort. Limited admin\u00adis\u00adtrative capacity and an acute shortage of qualified profes\u00adsionals created additional challenges in connection with managing such a&nbsp;large-scale and techni\u00adcally demanding process. Moldova succeeded in completing the screening before the 2025 parlia\u00admentary elections got underway. Substantial efforts resulted in the alignment of more than 500 normative acts with EU legis\u00adlation.<a name=\"_ftnref6\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftn6\">[6]<\/a> Thus, Moldova reached the readiness threshold required to begin accession negoti\u00ada\u00adtions. In essence, the diffi\u00adculty of the screening process for Moldova is not due to a&nbsp;technical impos\u00adsi\u00adbility, but rather to the subse\u00adquent stages of integration, which will require it to undergo profound struc\u00adtural trans\u00adfor\u00adma\u00adtions under condi\u00adtions of limited resources and persistent external&nbsp;challenges.<\/p>\n<p>The parlia\u00admentary elections in September of 2025 repre\u00adsented a&nbsp;third and final test of Moldova\u2019s democ\u00adratic resilience. They proved decisive for the contin\u00adu\u00adation of Moldova\u2019s European path of devel\u00adopment and the prevention of a&nbsp;foreign policy shift toward rapprochement with Russia. The vision of a&nbsp;peaceful, democ\u00adratic, and European future outweighed socio-economic concerns and became the central motivating factor uniting the pro-European electorate.<\/p>\n<p>The newly elected parliament\u2019s compo\u00adsition generated political sensi\u00adtivity, as the continued repre\u00adsen\u00adtation of major pro-Russian parties called into question the legislature\u2019s ability to achieve broad consensus and maintain coherence in its decision-making. Boycotts, obstruction, and disrup\u00adtions of parlia\u00admentary sessions are fully to be expected. Yet Moldova now needs a&nbsp;strong and effec\u00adtively functioning legis\u00adlature able to reinforce the state\u2019s insti\u00adtu\u00adtional stability and facil\u00aditate the country\u2019s progress toward EU membership. Strategic commu\u00adni\u00adcation and the collective pursuit of optimal solutions are complex yet essential tasks, while the principles of the rule of law remain funda\u00admental to ensuring the proper functioning of state insti\u00adtu\u00adtions and adherence to democ\u00adratic&nbsp;norms.<\/p>\n<p>External challenges and security concerns continue to be of paramount impor\u00adtance for Moldova. Addressing them will require more compre\u00adhensive and pragmatic approaches, including on the part of the country\u2019s European partners. Moldova will not be able to cope with its security and defence challenges without external assis\u00adtance. The corre\u00adsponding cluster in the negoti\u00adation process is one of the most decisive for Moldova in many respects, as it relates directly to the preser\u00advation of Moldovan terri\u00adtorial integrity and its ability to maintain steady democ\u00adratic development.<\/p>\n<h2>A new level of inter\u00adaction with the EU: Aligning expec\u00adta\u00adtions with&nbsp;reality<\/h2>\n<p>While awaiting the official opening of the negoti\u00adation process, Moldova continues to carry out reforms and adjust national programmes and plans to reflect new condi\u00adtions and require\u00adments. Despite the progress noted in the European Commission\u2019s report and Moldova\u2019s fulfilment of the condi\u00adtions for opening three negoti\u00adation clusters \u2013 <em>Funda\u00admentals, External Relations, <\/em>and the<em> Internal Market<\/em> \u2013 further reform of these sectors is still necessary. The imple\u00admen\u00adtation of the funda\u00admental principles and values remains a&nbsp;challenge for Moldova, which is still having diffi\u00adculty ensuring the rule of law in the face of strong resis\u00adtance from entrenched corruption networks, political fragmen\u00adtation and a&nbsp;high degree of polar\u00adi\u00adsation, as well as a&nbsp;complex geopo\u00adlitical environment. All these destructive tendencies have the potential to be serious obstacles in the negoti\u00adation process with the EU, given that adherence to the principles of the rule of law is a&nbsp;decisive criterion for&nbsp;membership.<\/p>\n<p>The 2024 Corruption Percep\u00adtions Index indicates that Moldova has made some progress in combatting corruption \u2013 it scored 43 out of 100 points (Moldova\u2019s average score on the corruption index over the 1999\u20132024 period was 31.50 points, according to Trans\u00adparency Inter\u00adna\u00adtional, with the 2024 score being the highest and the 2002 score (*21.00) the lowest.<a name=\"_ftnref7\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftn7\">[7]<\/a> Nonetheless, corruption remains a&nbsp;systemic problem in the country, under\u00admining trust in state insti\u00adtu\u00adtions and obstructing efforts to establish an effective and impartial judiciary. Reports of the exertion of political pressure on the judiciary and law enforcement bodies, as well as of abuses directed against the opposition further erode the rule of law. Societal polar\u00adi\u00adsation results in ongoing political insta\u00adbility, with the political leadership, the opposition and their respective supporters engaged in continuous confrontation, often accom\u00adpanied by mutual accusa\u00adtions of legal viola\u00adtions and abuses of power. This contributes to the further polar\u00adi\u00adsation of society, in addition to impeding the coherent imple\u00admen\u00adtation of reforms aimed at strength\u00adening democ\u00adratic&nbsp;values.<\/p>\n<p>Another matter requiring careful attention is the situation with respect to the indepen\u00addence and effec\u00adtiveness of the judiciary, which is essential for the functioning of a&nbsp;fair legal system. Moldova has yet to make signif\u00adicant progress when it comes to increasing public trust in the justice system. However, an updated set of disci\u00adplinary rules has provided necessary clari\u00adfi\u00adca\u00adtions regarding oversight timelines and proce\u00addures. Efforts to accel\u00aderate court proceedings through digital tools have resulted in the reduction of delays in judicial processes. Gradual reforms are enhancing the authority of self-governing judicial and prose\u00adcu\u00adtorial bodies, such as the Superior Council of Magis\u00adtracy and the Superior Council of Prose\u00adcutors. A&nbsp;specialised anti-corruption commission has been estab\u00adlished to expedite the handling of corruption cases referred to the courts by prose\u00adcutors, and thus serve as an effective mechanism to accel\u00aderate the admin\u00adis\u00adtration of&nbsp;justice.<\/p>\n<p>Partic\u00adu\u00adlarly noteworthy in this context is the progress made with regard to the prose\u00adcution of cases of high-level corruption. As a&nbsp;result of reforms, the procedure in such cases now involves enhanced inves\u00adtigative capabil\u00adities and strengthened coordi\u00adnation among the relevant author\u00adities. However, efforts to ensure a&nbsp;fair justice system continue to face challenges. Judges are not always fully free of political and admin\u00adis\u00adtrative influence, raising questions about the objec\u00adtivity of judicial&nbsp;decisions.<\/p>\n<p>The intro\u00adduction of digital tools for asset decla\u00adration and the regis\u00adtration of beneficial owners have also had positive effects, increasing trans\u00adparency and contributing to the prevention of financial malpractice. A&nbsp;targeted strategy reduces the influence of powerful groups in political decision-making and the economy through stricter asset verifi\u00adcation, contract monitoring, and oversight of cross-border financial&nbsp;flows.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova is strength\u00adening financial integrity through the Public Internal Financial Control (PIFC) system, which is aimed at standard\u00adizing risk assessment and improving fraud detection.<a name=\"_ftnref8\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftn8\">[8]<\/a> The unified project portfolio of the Ministry of Finance ensures trans\u00adparency in public invest\u00adments. Expanded digital monitoring of suspi\u00adcious trans\u00adac\u00adtions reinforces anti-money laundering efforts. A&nbsp;centralised database system will consol\u00adidate financial data across agencies, enhancing oversight by the Ministry of Finance and antitrust author\u00adities. Finally, Moldova is aligning its state aid policy with EU compe\u00adtition rules aimed at fostering fair compe\u00adtition. Reforms include the updating of the State Aid Law and the improvement of oversight of public subsidies and government inter\u00adven\u00adtions. Achieving these objec\u00adtives will require not only technical imple\u00admen\u00adtation capacity but also effective practical&nbsp;operation.<\/p>\n<p>Challenges also exist in relation to the internal market, the country\u2019s economic devel\u00adopment, and the functioning and compet\u00adi\u00adtiveness of the domestic market, labour market, private and partic\u00adu\u00adlarly the agricul\u00adtural sectors. In October 2024, the EU adopted the Moldova Growth Plan, a&nbsp;support package worth 1.8 billion euros that is supported by a&nbsp;financing mechanism to implement reforms and promote economic growth for the period 2025\u20132027. Strong coordi\u00adnation among national insti\u00adtu\u00adtions in Moldova is crucial in order for this compre\u00adhensive package to have the greatest possible impact, as it is the only way to guarantee the timely imple\u00admen\u00adtation of the measures outlined in the reform program. The allocation of the resources is condi\u00adtioned on this high level of coordi\u00adnation. In addition, the management of investment projects must be strengthened, drawing on the best practices of the Organ\u00adi\u00adsation for Economic Cooper\u00adation and Devel\u00adopment (OECD). This will improve resource efficiency and minimise political patronage, while ensuring that the project selection and imple\u00admen\u00adtation process remains trans\u00adparent and open to broad participation.<\/p>\n<p>The vulner\u00ada\u00adbility of the private sector is one of the main imped\u00adi\u00adments to a&nbsp;swift imple\u00admen\u00adtation of the EU Growth Plan, as this vulner\u00ada\u00adbility hinders the rapid adaptation to new condi\u00adtions and the intro\u00adduction of struc\u00adtural reforms. Key points of vulner\u00ada\u00adbility include limited access to financing, low produc\u00adtivity, a&nbsp;shortage of skilled personnel, and the need to modernise business sector and its networks. Addressing these issues will require invest\u00adments, reforms, and the provision of support aimed at enhancing the compet\u00adi\u00adtiveness and resilience of Moldovan enterprises.<\/p>\n<p>A key priority for economic reforms is the reform of public financial management with a&nbsp;view to increasing the efficiency of public expen\u00addi\u00adtures and strength\u00adening budgetary policy. This reform must encompass the reorgan\u00adi\u00adsation of state insti\u00adtu\u00adtions, the stabil\u00adi\u00adsation of public finances, a&nbsp;consol\u00adi\u00addation of the tax base, and the improvement of tax admin\u00adis\u00adtration. Calcu\u00adla\u00adtions and forecasts indicate that a&nbsp;30% reduction in alloca\u00adtions for \u201cgeneral actions\u201d in the state budget should enhance budget transparency.<\/p>\n<p>Strength\u00adening public gover\u00adnance is crucial to minimising bureau\u00adcratic ineffi\u00adciency and enhancing insti\u00adtu\u00adtional effec\u00adtiveness. The restruc\u00adturing of central government entities subor\u00addinate to the Cabinet of Ministers will optimise government opera\u00adtions, making the public sector more efficient and responsive. The imple\u00admen\u00adtation of a&nbsp;centralised human resource management infor\u00admation system will improve recruitment and management processes for civil servants, ensuring a&nbsp;more trans\u00adparent and merit-based hiring system. The intro\u00adduction of a&nbsp;unified payroll reform will help attract and retain qualified personnel, addressing the persistent shortage of talent in the public sector. Improved management of public invest\u00adments and the intro\u00adduction of debt sustain\u00adability safeguards are essential for achieving fiscal stability. Increasing the share of public capital expen\u00addi\u00adtures to 90% of budgetary alloca\u00adtions by 2027 will enhance the efficiency of large-scale investment projects and accel\u00aderate infra\u00adstructure modernisation.<\/p>\n<p>Given the limited progress achieved in the area of admin\u00adis\u00adtrative gover\u00adnance and the impor\u00adtance of admin\u00adis\u00adtrative reform, this is another area that requires close attention. Agriculture and the environment remain among the most vulnerable areas in this respect. Substantial work is also needed in the regulation of regional&nbsp;policy.<\/p>\n<p>Issues of foreign relations and security, partic\u00adu\u00adlarly in the context of the Transnis\u00adtrian conflict and the war in neigh\u00adbouring Ukraine, further complicate the systematic imple\u00admen\u00adtation of reforms and the fulfilment of condi\u00adtions required to advance in the negoti\u00adation process. The absence of a&nbsp;coordi\u00adnated position on Transnistria, coupled with the lack of signif\u00adicant progress in reinte\u00adgration and the restoration of Transnistria under Moldova\u2019s legal framework, repre\u00adsents a&nbsp;serious obstacle to Moldova\u2019s advancement toward EU&nbsp;membership.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclu\u00adsions and recommendations<\/h2>\n<p>Thus Moldova still faces challenges in areas that are partic\u00adu\u00adlarly vulnerable and difficult to reform, and it must address these in order to proceed with a&nbsp;pragmatic and effective imple\u00admen\u00adtation of the tasks lying before it. At the same time, progress in EU accession negoti\u00ada\u00adtions remains the primary priority of the Republic of Moldova\u2019s foreign policy. It is imper\u00adative for external diplo\u00admatic success to be reinforced by domestic reforms and economic growth, enabling Moldova to fully capitalise on European oppor\u00adtu\u00adnities and truly become a&nbsp;success story among the Eastern Partnership countries.<\/p>\n<p>Since the final decision on Moldova\u2019s accession to the EU requires the unanimity of all EU members, expec\u00adta\u00adtions of synergies among EU member states regarding enlargement in Moldova are indeed high. By steadily advancing along its European path, Moldova aspires to become a&nbsp;European success story and to turn its \u201cEuropean dream\u201d into reality. However, the successful fulfilment, despite many challenges, of technical condi\u00adtions may lead the adoption of a&nbsp;view of the opening of the negoti\u00adation process that is somewhat illusory in terms of expec\u00adta\u00adtions for the practical imple\u00admen\u00adtation of the clusters. In this situation, it is necessary to focus efforts on achieving tangible results from the reform process. It is important to remember that the EU has the right to suspend the negoti\u00adation process in the absence of adequate outcomes. This could delay the estab\u00adlished timelines and prolong the reform process. To avoid such setbacks, the following <strong>recom\u00admen\u00adda\u00adtions<\/strong> are considered&nbsp;important:<\/p>\n<p>- Ensuring the function\u00adality of democ\u00adratic gover\u00adnance must become a&nbsp;defining task for Moldova\u2019s author\u00adities. The effec\u00adtiveness of democ\u00adratic insti\u00adtu\u00adtions should be a&nbsp;domestic political priority and serve as a&nbsp;unifying force within society and the state, regardless of the political differ\u00adences between the ruling party and the&nbsp;opposition.<\/p>\n<p>- Close cooper\u00adation between state insti\u00adtu\u00adtions, civil society, and the private sector is necessary and demands a&nbsp;shift away from past policies of selective inter\u00adaction. It is important to ensure that all repre\u00adsen\u00adta\u00adtives of civil society and the private sector are granted equal access to partic\u00adi\u00adpative processes. This will enhance stability, increase resilience, and allow the creation of a&nbsp;unified front in imple\u00admenting the European&nbsp;agenda.<\/p>\n<p>- The private sector\u2019s readiness to adjust the forth\u00adcoming changes and to take full advantage of emerging oppor\u00adtu\u00adnities is crucial. The business community should be informed in advance about potential costs for small and medium-sized enter\u00adprises. The mechanical trans\u00adpo\u00adsition of EU rules into national legis\u00adlation is not the right approach here; the provision of ongoing support for adaptation to newly intro\u00adduced standards will be necessary. Ensuring access to funding is partic\u00adu\u00adlarly important, as small and medium-sized enter\u00adprises often face diffi\u00adculties obtaining loans and other financial resources, which hinders their growth and modernisation.<\/p>\n<p>- Upcoming legislative changes will entail higher compliance costs and increased compe\u00adtition. However, they will also open oppor\u00adtu\u00adnities for access to new markets, funds and financing, technologies, and innova\u00adtions. Given that alignment with EU standards will have complex and multi\u00addi\u00admen\u00adsional conse\u00adquences for Moldova, it is important for European partners to strengthen consul\u00adtative mecha\u00adnisms for the provision of infor\u00adma\u00adtional and technical support to Moldovan state insti\u00adtu\u00adtions and private companies in relation to the imple\u00admen\u00adtation of EU legis\u00adlation, as well as awareness-raising activ\u00adities on how they can benefit from these transformations.<\/p>\n<p>- Best practices in financial market support and financial control are crucial. Policies and practices developed by the German government, along with assis\u00adtance in their imple\u00admen\u00adtation tailored to Moldova\u2019s speci\u00adficities and EU require\u00adments, would help create a&nbsp;more resilient financial market environment.<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_ftn1\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a> Inter\u00adna\u00adtional trade of goods of the Republic of Moldova in December 2024 and 2024. National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/statistica.gov.md\/en\/international-trade-of-goods-of-the-republic-of-moldova-in-9539_61660.html\">https:\/\/statistica.gov.md\/en\/international-trade-of-goods-of-the-republic-of-moldova-in-9539_61660.html<\/a>; Inter\u00adna\u00adtional trade of goods of the Republic of Moldova in September 2025. National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/statistica.gov.md\/en\/international-trade-of-goods-of-the-republic-of-moldova-in-9539_62087.html\">https:\/\/statistica.gov.md\/en\/international-trade-of-goods-of-the-republic-of-moldova-in-9539_62087.html&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_ftn2\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref2\">[2]<\/a> The EU and Moldova. October 2024 \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/old.gov.md\/sites\/default\/files\/the-eumoldova-factsheet-2024_en.pdf\">https:\/\/old.gov.md\/sites\/default\/files\/the-eumoldova-factsheet-2024_en.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_ftn3\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref3\">[3]<\/a> Moldovans saved \u20ac1.4 million in transfer fees in the first month after Moldova joined SEPA \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/eu4moldova.eu\/en\/moldovans-saved-e1-4-million-in-transfer-fees-in-the-first-month-after-moldova-joined-sepa\/\">h<u>ttps:\/\/eu4moldova.eu\/en\/moldovans-saved-e1-4-million-in-transfer-fees-in-the-first-month-after-moldova-joined-sepa\/<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_ftn4\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref4\">[4]<\/a> Moldova now connected to SEPA: euro payments on the same condi\u00adtions as in the EU \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/euneighbourseast.eu\/news\/latest-news\/moldova-now-connected-to-sepa-euro-payments-on-the-same-conditions-as-in-the-eu\/\"><u>https:\/\/euneighbourseast.eu\/news\/latest-news\/moldova-now-connected-to-sepa-euro-payments-on-the-same-conditions-as-in-the-eu\/<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_ftn5\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref5\">[5]<\/a> Joint Decla\u00adration following the first Republic of Moldova \u2014 EU Summit, 4&nbsp;July 2025, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consilium.europa.eu\/media\/3t3l1gjs\/eu-moldova-summit-declaration_20250704.pdf\">https:\/\/www.consilium.europa.eu\/media\/3t3l1gjs\/eu-moldova-summit-declaration_20250704.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_ftn6\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref6\">[6]<\/a> Moldova has completed the screening in Brussels. Deputy Prime Minister: Let\u2019s be proud of our country \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/ipn.md\/en\/moldova-has-completed-the-screening-in-brussels-deputy-prime-minister-lets-be-proud-of-our-country\/\"><u>https:\/\/ipn.md\/en\/moldova-has-completed-the-screening-in-brussels-deputy-prime-minister-lets-be-proud-of-our-country\/<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_ftn7\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref7\">[7]<\/a> Corruption Percep\u00adtions Index. Moldova 2024 \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transparency.org\/en\/countries\/moldova\">https:\/\/www.transparency.org\/en\/countries\/moldova<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_ftn8\"><\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref8\">[8]<\/a>Reform Agenda under the Republic of Moldova\u2018s Growth Plan for the years 2025\u20132027 \/\u200b\/\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/mded.gov.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Agenda-_260-en.pdf\"><u>https:\/\/mded.gov.md\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Agenda-_260-en.pdf<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Author:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Natalia Stercul (Foreign Policy Associ\u00adation of the Republic of&nbsp;Moldova)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-23921 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/libmodredaktion.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20240905145906\/textende.png\" alt=\"Textende\" width=\"40\" height=\"120\">[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Hat Ihnen unser Beitrag gefallen? 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Natalia Stercul (Foreign Policy Associ\u00adation of the Republic von Moldova) analyses the&nbsp;situation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":309,"featured_media":76645,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wp_typography_post_enhancements_disabled":false,"mc4wp_mailchimp_campaign":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15522],"tags":[2987,14168,14756,14990,15347,15408],"class_list":["post-76674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-policy-brief-en","tag-current","tag-eap-plus","tag-eastern-partnership-plus","tag-eo_sl-en","tag-oep-plus-en","tag-publications"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A new round of EU enlargement: Will Moldova become a success story? - libmod.de - Zentrum Liberale Moderne<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As the European Union adjusts its policies in preparation for a new round of enlargement, relations between Moldova and the European Union (EU) have entered a new stage of development. 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