Political

Moldova Makes Progress on EU Membership Bid

On Wednesday in Brussels, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, submitted Moldova's National Contribution to the European Union's 2024 Enlargement Package.

The document outlines the progress achieved in implementing the recommendations from the 2023 Enlargement Package and fulfilling the EU accession criteria between July 2023 and March 2024. Moldova's National Contribution for the current year will be submitted in two instalments, with the first part delivered in April and the second in September 2024.

The European Commission will assess the progress reported by national institutions within the Report on the Republic of Moldova included in the 2024 Enlargement Package, due for publication later this year.

"This document, prepared through a comprehensive effort by national public institutions, reflects the progress made by the authorities in following the recommendations of the 2023 Enlargement Package and fulfilling the EU accession criteria between June 2023 and March of this year," said Government spokesman Daniel Voda. "The 2024 contribution will be submitted in two stages: the first part in April and the second part in September. The European Commission will assess the progress reported by national institutions in its report on the Republic of Moldova within the enlargement package, which will be published later this year."

The European Council adopts conclusions on enlargement and the stabilisation and association process annually, evaluating the progress of each candidate country. In the conclusions adopted in December 2023, the Council acknowledged the progress made by Moldova in achieving the objectives that underpin its candidate country status, particularly in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine and the hybrid attacks targeting Moldova itself. The Council also encouraged Moldova to continue pursuing in-depth judicial reform and to strengthen the relevant institutions in the fight against corruption. To this end, Moldova must achieve a significant number of investigations and convictions, including in cases of high-level corruption.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Bogdan Nigai

Bogdan Nigai

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