EU Commissioner Marta Kos hails Moldova as the new benchmark for enlargement reforms
In a landmark address to the European Parliament on April 20, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos praised Moldova as a "model of responsibility" for other candidate states. Kos highlighted the nation's ability to maintain high-quality reform momentum while facing intense hybrid threats from Russia.
A leadership role in Eastern Europe
The Commissioner emphasized that Moldova and Ukraine are currently leading the enlargement rankings, surpassing long-standing candidates like Montenegro and Albania. Kos noted that the speed of EU financial integration through Growth Plans remains directly tied to the caliber of domestic reforms.
"Some candidate countries understand this struggle better than we do," Kos stated during the plenary session. "Observe Moldova! Observe Ukraine!" she urged, pointing to their rapid alignment with European standards.
Tangible benefits for citizens
Progress across all six accession clusters has already unlocked significant advantages for Chisinau. Following its entry into the EU free roaming zone on January 1, Moldova now serves as the blueprint for extending similar benefits to the Western Balkans.
Marta Kos, who assumed her role in late 2024, has consistently signaled that Moldova represents the most significant year-on-year progress in the history of EU enlargement.
Technical negotiations intensify
The country is currently engaged in intensive technical negotiations across all 35 chapters, grouped into six thematic clusters. This systematic approach follows the findings of the 2025 Enlargement Report, which solidified Moldova's status as a frontrunner in the integration process.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
