Moldova

The EU cooperates with the Republic of Moldova in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership, with the objective to bring Moldova closer to the EU.

On 3 March 2022, Moldova applied for EU membership. On 17 June 2022, the European Commission presented its Opinions on the applications submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. Based on the Commission’s Opinion, Moldova was given a European perspective on 23 June 2022 by unanimous agreement between the leaders of all 27 EU Member States.

The Commission’s Opinion outlined nine steps which Moldova needed to address in order to progress on the path to the EU. The 2023 Enlargement Package reports, presented on 08 November 2023, where Moldova was included for the first time, along with Ukraine and Georgia. On the basis of the analysis presented in this report, the Commission recommended to the Council opening accession negotiations with Moldova, provided that the remaining steps on justice reform, anti-corruption and deoligarchisation are completed. On 14 December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with the country. The first intergovermental conference marking the formal launch of the accession negotiations was held on 25 June 2024.

Since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Moldova has been tackling significant challenges, including large numbers of refugees, inflation, threats to its energy supplies, violations of its airspace, as well as a multitude of hybrid actions such as disinformation and cyber-attacks.

In recognition of these challenges and Moldova’s efforts, President von der Leyen presented on 28 June 2023 a Support Package for the Republic of Moldova with five priorities aimed at addressing the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and bringing Moldova closer to the European Union:

• Facilitating economic development and connectivity through the Priority Action Plan for trade under the DCFTA and the dedicated flagships of the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP). These focus on support to SMEs, trade, energy efficiency, human capital development as well as connectivity.

Moldova participates in the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes initiative that helps the country ensure secure supply chains and food security. In October 2023, the EU allocated a €12 million  grant to renovate the North-South rail corridor. Since 2023, Moldova has benefited from almost €45 million  in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility for Transport to improve transport connections between Moldova and Romania. Building on the achievement to reduce roaming prices, the EU is working towards a long-term roaming arrangement. 

• Supporting Moldova's reforms through strengthening administrative capacity, advisory services focusing on challenges arising on the enlargement path, dedicated training and support programmes as well as increasing the participation of Moldova in EU programmes. Moldova participates in Horizon Europe, Fiscalis, Customs, LIFE, EU4Health, Connecting Europe Facility, the Single Market programme, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) Digital Europe and the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).

• Ensuring Moldova's energy security through increasing domestic electricity production, participating in the EU common gas purchasing mechanism, boosting renewables and focusing on energy efficiency. With EU assistance, Moldova has made its first purchases of gas and electricity from the EU. Moldova is eligible to participate in the EU common gas purchasing mechanism. 

Since December 2021, the EU has disbursed €205 million in budgetary support to help support vulnerable families and SMEs facing the rising energy costs. The actions are also aimed at supporting the long-term socio-economic recovery, energy security and energy transition.

During the 5^th High-Level Energy Dialogue on 2 February 2024, Moldova and the EU endorsed a new Joint Moldova-Energy Community and European Commission Roadmap, which features next steps and a timeline of further reforms covering the gas and electricity market and to boost energy efficiency and renewable energy capacity.

• Enhancing Moldova's security through targeted actions guided by the High Level Political and Security Dialogue; expanding cooperation through the  EU Partnership Mission to Moldova, the EU-Moldova Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management, the EU Border Assistance Mission, as well as with European agencies notably Frontex, Europol, Eurojust and CEPOL; strengthening Moldova's defence sector through the European Peace Facility, and its internal security and border management through targeted investments and provision of equipment.  For 2021-2024, the EU has allocated €128 million for non-lethal support through the European Peace Facility.

• Countering foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, and enhancing strategic communication through providing technical support to the Moldovan government and capacity building for independent media civil society and youth to address disinformation and to communicate actively on the benefits of EU integration.

Factsheet: EU Support Package for the Republic of Moldova

The EU is the largest provider of financial assistance to Moldova. The EU supports socioeconomic development and reforms in Moldova, with financial and technical assistance through the Neighbourhood Development and Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). EU assistance is based on strict conditionality, and is linked to satisfactory progress in reforms and the respect of the rule of law, effective democratic mechanisms and human rights.

Since 2021, the EU has strongly reaffirmed its support for, and solidarity with, Moldova by making available €2.2 billion in loans and grants. Funding is channelled through multiple financial instruments such as direct budget support, macro-financial assistance, EU programmes, and projects with international financial institutions guaranteed by the EU.

Launched in 2021, the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Eastern Partnership in Moldova helps translate policy priorities into tangible investment projects with high impact on the economy, communities and Moldova’s citizens. Under the EIP for Moldova, in cooperation with international financial institutions, the EU has already mobilised €1.5 billion with investments in flagship projects identified together with the Moldovan authorities.

The EU is continuing its steadfast support to Moldova. In the last quarter of 2023, the Commission disbursed EUR 142.5 million in budget support and macro-financial assistance. On 13 May 2024, the Council approved the renewal of EU’s autonomous trade measures for Moldova which will apply until July 2025. In the margins of the EU-Moldova Association Council of 21 May 2024, Moldova signed the agreement to join the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme. The 2024 programming exercise is ongoing, in line with the priorities of the support package.

Building further on the Economic and Investment Plan interventions, the Association Council welcomed the ongoing work in Moldova, with the support of the European Commission, on an Economic and Growth Plan to help delivering key economic reforms and investments over the coming years.

Factsheets available to download