--- title: "EU will adjust new member rules; automatic safeguard measures won't apply, says Gherasimov" url: https://moldova1.md/p/87253/eu-will-adjust-new-member-rules-automatic-safeguard-measures-won-t-apply-says-gherasimov published: 2026-10-09T13:42:36Z language: en author: "Bogdan Nigai" section: "EU accession" source: moldova1.md --- # EU will adjust new member rules; automatic safeguard measures won't apply, says Gherasimov > The European Commission's proposals regarding safeguard measures for future members send an important signal: the EU takes the enlargement process seriously and is preparing for it. Potential temporary restrictions—such as limits on voting rights or access to certain EU funds—will not be applied automatically, states Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/cee5c0f0-0e7e-4e33-a66c-cceaa48c2d89.jpg) The European Commission's proposals regarding safeguard measures for future members send an important signal: the EU takes the enlargement process seriously and is preparing for it. Potential temporary restrictions—such as limits on voting rights or access to certain EU funds—will not be applied automatically, states Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov. The European Commission, the European Union's executive body, proposes accelerating negotiations and facilitating candidate countries' access to European programs, while also introducing additional mechanisms to safeguard democratic principles. At the same time, transitional periods could be negotiated in certain areas, such as the free movement of workers and the provision of services. *"This document is a proposal that has been sent to the Council—representing the 27 EU member states—and the European Parliament. These two institutions are set to debate and subsequently rule on the proposals, after which specific decisions will be made,"* stated Gherasimov during consultations held on Friday, October 9, within the framework of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the enlargement process had stagnated after Croatia's accession in 2013, but granting candidate country status to several states has brought the issue back to Brussels' attention. **Safeguard measures do not automatically mean fewer rights** The enlargement package includes a monitoring clause that can be applied for up to 15 years after accession. However, its application does not mean that new members will automatically have fewer rights, Gherasimov explained. "This means that if we ensure the quality of our democracy, do not tolerate a corrupt judiciary, and do not accept corruption within state institutions, there is nothing to fear. As long as you are an exemplary state, these safeguard measures do not apply. This is a very, very important point," the Deputy Prime Minister said. MP Gaik Vartanean, from the "Alternative" faction, asked for clarifications regarding potential transition periods. "The essence of the European Union is the free movement of goods, capital, and services. We would like to understand—during the negotiation stage, should certain conditions be imposed on these fundamental freedoms—how long they will last and why they are necessary. We want to avoid a situation where we must unconditionally follow everything the European Union dictates, while simply waiting out the restrictions on the free movement of goods and services," Vartanean stated. Cristina Gherasimov replied that transition periods are not new and that previous enlargements also included such conditions. "We must be prepared for the fact that, while we may request transition periods, member states can also request transition periods in turn," the Deputy Prime Minister explained. **Pre-accession benefits** According to Cristina Gherasimov, the Republic of Moldova is already participating in over 20 European initiatives, and Brussels is considering the possibility of expanding cooperation into other sectors, subject to certain conditions. The official noted the country's participation in programs such as Erasmus+ (education), Horizon Europe (research), EU4Health (health), and LIFE (environmental protection). She also highlighted the Republic of Moldova's integration into the SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) system and the European "Roam Like at Home" zone, which allows users in EU states to make calls, send messages, and use the internet at their domestic operator's rates. A new development is that the EU could suspend participation in such initiatives if a country stops complying with common rules. **Protection of farmers and banned grape varieties** The consultations also addressed aligning agriculture with European standards. MP Ana Țurcan-Oboroc, from the "Democracy at Home" faction, sought clarification regarding the authorities' capacity to negotiate favorable terms for local producers. The MP expressed concern that accession could affect the cultivation of certain grape varieties that the European Union prohibits for industrial wine production. "For instance, regarding the statement by Minister Osmochescu (Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry – Ed. note) about the ban on the variety colloquially known as 'fragă' or 'căpșunică'—where the minister says, 'Don't worry, we’ll wipe it out here too!'—such a statement alarms me," the MP declared. Cristina Gherasimov explained that authorities are discussing with EU representatives whether to allow the continued cultivation of these varieties in the Republic of Moldova, even though wines made from them cannot be sold on the European market. "However, it must be made very clear that our producers will not be able to export wines made from these varieties to the European Union market. That does not mean they cannot export to other markets," the Deputy Prime Minister explained. Gherasimov noted that producers in other sectors can also export to the EU market only if they comply with European standards. "Take our egg exporters, for example; there are specific European-level requirements. Producers who meet European standards can export to the EU market, while those who don't, cannot. Everyone decides: do they want to produce for 2.4 million Moldovans, or for a market of 450 million potential consumers?" Gherasimov said. **The roadmap will provide a clearer timeline for reforms** The roadmap that the Republic of Moldova—alongside Ukraine, Albania, and Montenegro—is set to receive on October 28 will outline the objectives that must be met to advance the accession process. *"In every enlargement wave, any country at an advanced stage of negotiations receives a roadmap listing the deliverables the candidate state must achieve in order to conclude the negotiations. We anticipate that, in addition to these deliverables, the roadmap will also include an estimated timeline for concluding the negotiations,"* Gherasimov explained. By the end of the year, the Republic of Moldova aims to advance negotiations sufficiently to close the first chapters of the "External Relations" cluster. Regarding justice and fundamental rights, the authorities are awaiting the start of the European institutions' assessment of whether intermediate criteria have been met. The process goes beyond adopting laws; it also requires demonstrating that reforms are being implemented effectively. *"We will do our utmost to ensure we have the clearest possible assessment of where we stand,"* Gherasimov stated. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/0e5fe83d-8355-487c-b26b-795d2e30588f.jpg) The accession process comprises 33 negotiating chapters, grouped into six clusters. So far, the Republic of Moldova has opened two. The first, "Fundamentals," was opened in June, and the one concerning "External Relations" in July. Two other clusters—Cluster 2 ("Internal Market") and Cluster 3 ("Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth")—are set to open next week, with the remaining two expected to open by the end of the year, according to European Council President António Costa. The European Council is scheduled to discuss the European Commission's proposals on the enlargement package at its meeting on October 15–16.