Historic step: Moldova advances toward EU membership
The conclusions adopted at the European Council summit on June 26, 2025, officially confirm the Republic of Moldova's progress in its European Union accession process and invite the Council of the European Union to open the first negotiation cluster, which focuses on fundamental values.
According to experts and officials invited to Radio Moldova's "Zi de Zi" (Day by Day) show, this step is not only symbolic but also decisive for Moldova's European future.
In the adopted document, leaders from the 27 EU member states congratulated the Republic of Moldova on the pace of its reforms and reiterated their firm support for the country's sovereignty, resilience, and European path.
"It's very important to have this reference in the Conclusion (of the European Council summit – ed. note), which, first and foremost, confirms all the effort we're putting into the European Union accession process. We're pleased with the unanimous support of all 27 member states," stated Ambassador Daniela Morari, Head of the Republic of Moldova's Mission to the European Union.
According to Morari, the European Commission found that the Chișinău authorities have fulfilled all conditions for opening the fundamental values cluster, and the EU Council is set to formally decide on starting negotiations.
"This is a very important decision and finding, which allows us to have the necessary discussions that will enable us to advance to the next stage: the opening of negotiations on this group of chapters."
Teodor Baconschi: Moldova has a historic chance to break free from East-West oscillation
Fundamental values such as human dignity, the rule of law, human rights, and the functioning of democratic institutions are, in the opinion of former Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, the foundation of the European project.
"In a very complicated, tense regional context, Moldova finally has a unique, unrepeatable chance to transform into a functional democracy and escape this oscillating destiny between East and West, between its Soviet legacy and the European temptation," Baconschi remarked.
He believes that the Chișinău authorities have succeeded in positioning the country on the map of European values within a complex geopolitical context.
"What seemed like a simple promise has transformed into a concrete partnership between Brussels and Chișinău. You've seen this in the Republic of Moldova's diplomatic agenda in recent years, and I believe the ultimate proof that this transformation has occurred will be this very EU-Republic of Moldova summit, which you will host in early July," Baconschi pointed out.
Political analyst Ion M. Ioniță, editor-in-chief of "Historia" magazine, stated on the same show that the opening of the fundamental values cluster is a natural result of reforms and Romania's sustained support for Moldova.
"All of Romania's partners in the European Union are pleased with the outcome of our elections; they are confident that Romania is correctly and efficiently guiding the Republic of Moldova along its already open European path. It's important now for the two governments to work together as pragmatically as possible, to complete all bridge projects, energy infrastructure connections, and the transfer of knowledge that Romania, which has been in the European Union for 18 years, can technically provide to Moldova for each negotiation chapter, and it will do so," Ioniță declared.
Next steps for Moldova in the EU accession process
The opening of the first negotiation cluster with the European Union – the one concerning fundamental values – is the next step in the Republica Moldova's accession journey, after the European Commission confirmed the fulfillment of conditions and the European Council officially invited the EU Council to open this stage, asserts Daniela Morari.
According to her, the positive evaluation was possible following a comprehensive bilateral screening exercise, in which Moldovan experts analyzed the level of compliance with European standards and legislation for each chapter in the "Fundamental Values" cluster.
"We conducted this exercise across all chapters included in Cluster 1, and we have a good understanding of where we stand and what needs to be done next," Morari explained.
In parallel, the authorities have developed three comprehensive roadmaps for key areas such as the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions, and public administration reform.
It is worth noting that the leaders of the 27 European Union member states have officially invited the EU Council to take the next steps in the Republic of Moldova's accession process by opening negotiation clusters "when conditions are met."
In the conclusions adopted at the European Council Summit on June 26, 2025, the Republica Moldova is congratulated for the reforms it has undertaken and encouraged to continue at the same pace.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
