PURPOSE: to conclude the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Moldova, of the other part.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: relations between the EU and the Republic of Moldova are currently based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which entered into effect in July 1998.
On 15 June 2009 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with Moldova for the conclusion of a new Agreement with the European Union to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Negotiations of this comprehensive and ambitious Agreement between the EU and Moldova were launched in January 2010. In February 2012, the EU and Moldova also launched negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) part, as a core element of the Association Agreement.
The Association Agreement aims to accelerate the deepening of political and economic relations between Moldova and the EU, as well as advance Moldova's gradual economic integration with the EU Internal Market in selected areas, inter alia through a DCFTA, as an integral part of the Agreement.
On 29 November 2013, the EU and Moldova initialled the text of the Association Agreement.
The Agreement should be approved on behalf of the EU.
CONTENT: the proposal calls on the Council to approve on behalf of the Union the Association Agreement between the Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Moldova, of the other part.
Objectives of the Association Agreement: the Agreement establishes an association between the Parties, aiming at political association and economic integration and leaving open the way for further progressive developments.
The overall aims of the association focus on :
Sectoral cooperation : the Association Agreement also provides for a wide range of sectoral cooperation, focusing on support to core reforms, economic recovery and growth, governance and sector cooperation in 28 areas, such as :
In all of these areas, enhanced cooperation starts from the basis of current frameworks, both bilateral and multilateral, with the aim of more systematic dialogue and exchange of information and good practice.
Gradual approximation of legislation: key to the sectoral cooperation chapters is gradual approximation with the EU acquis set out in the annexes to the Agreement. Specific schedules for approximation and implementation by Moldova of selected parts of the EU acquis will form the core of Moldova's domestic reform and modernisation agenda.
DCFTA: closer economic integration through the DCFTA will be a powerful stimulant to the country's economic growth. As a core element of the Association Agreement, the DCFTA will create business opportunities in both the EU and Moldova and will promote real economic modernisation and gradual integration with the EU. Higher standards of products, better services to citizens, and above all Moldova's ability to compete effectively in international markets should be the result of this process.
Geographical indications: provision is made to protect EU geographical indications. A name protected under the Agreement may be used by any operator marketing agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines, aromatised wines or spirits conforming to the corresponding specification.
Institutional framework: the Agreement includes an updated institutional framework encompassing cooperation and dialogue fora. Specific decision-making roles are envisaged for Association Council, and by delegation for an Association Committee, which may also meet in a specific configuration to address trade issues. Space for civil society and parliamentary cooperation is also provided.
The Agreement also includes provisions on monitoring, approximation, fulfilment of obligations and dispute settlement (including separate provisions for trade-related matters).