2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Moldova

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Sven MIKSER (S&D, EE) on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Moldova.

Following Moldova’s application for EU membership of 3 March 2022, the European Council granted it candidate status on 23 June 2022 and subsequently decided to open accession negotiations on 14 December 2023. In June 2024, negotiations on Moldova’s EU accession started. This is the first report that addresses the Commission’s assessment of Moldova’s preparations for EU membership as part of the 2023 and 2024 enlargement packages. Since being granted candidate status, Moldova has achieved significant progress on its European integration path.

Progress with EU accession-related reforms

The report commended Moldova’s exemplary commitment and steady progress with EU accession-related reforms despite significant internal and external challenges. Members recognised that EU-Moldova relations have entered into a new phase, with intensifying cooperation, gradual alignment across all policy areas of the EU acquis and advancement on the EU integration path. Members also believe that Moldova’s capacity to consolidate its current progress with EU accession-related reforms and sustain the ambitious pace towards EU membership will require the strong and genuine support of a parliamentary majority after the elections in autumn 2025.

Upcoming elections

The upcoming parliamentary elections will be of crucial importance for the continuation of Moldova’s pro-EU trajectory. Members are concerned about the likely intensification of foreign, in particular Russian, malign interference and hybrid attacks ahead of the elections. The EU is called on to increase its support, including financial and technical support, for the Moldovan Government’s efforts to counter such interference in the country’s democratic process, including through the sharing of expertise in foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), countering hybrid threats and strengthening resilience.

Socio-economic reforms

Members welcomed the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova, which underpins the Growth Plan and is worth EUR 2.02 billion, making it the largest EU financial support package for Moldova since its independence. This facility provides Moldova with EUR 520 million in non-repayable support and a maximum amount of EUR 1.5 billion in loans, with an 18 % pre-financing rate, demonstrating the EU’s recognition of the urgency of supporting Moldova’s reforms and resilience.

In addition, the Commission is called on to include adequate dedicated pre-accession funds for Moldova in the EU’s next multiannual financial framework, and to begin preparing Moldova for the efficient use of future pre-accession funds as a newly designated EU candidate country.

The report called for comprehensive social policy reforms to address poverty and persistent largescale emigration, increase healthcare coverage, strengthen public education, improve working conditions and develop adequate social protection systems. Members also welcomed the renewal of the EU’s temporary trade liberalisation measures in July 2024 in order to support Moldova’s economy, substituting the loss of trade caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its unfriendly policies towards Moldova.

Human rights

Moldova is called on to strengthen its efforts, including the effective implementation of its legislative framework, to combat racial discrimination, marginalisation, racist hate speech and hate crimes targeting members of ethnic minority groups, including the Roma.

Common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and the Transnistrian conflict

The report welcomed Moldova’s consistent cooperation on foreign policy issues and the significantly increased rate, notably from 54 % in 2022 to 86 % in 2024, of its alignment with the EU’s CFSP positions and restrictive measures. Members welcomed the Commission’s initiatives to include proactive support for the Transnistrian region in its energy emergency support packages, and exchange of information and practical cooperation between the Moldovan Government and the de facto authorities of the Transnistrian region throughout the energy crisis caused by Russia.

The EU is called on include Moldova in the EU security and defence programmes and related budget allocations, including the European Defence Industry Programme and Readiness 2030, allowing the country to participate in joint procurement alongside the Member States. Members also welcomed the allocation of EUR 50 million to modernise the defence capacities of the Moldovan Armed Forces in the context of the current security challenges through the European Peace Facility (EPF) for 2024.