Government of Republic of Moldova

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

Moldova-EU relations

European integration is not only a fundamental basis of the internal and external policy of the Republic of Moldova and the Government, but also a major force of political and social cohesion. Since September 2009, important results have been achieved in this field.

The signing and entry into force of the Association Agreement, the visa liberalisation regime and the gradual integration into the European Union (EU) internal market lead to the de facto integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European political and economic space. At the same time, the Government is dedicated to the objective of modernising and developing the Republic of Moldova, which involves European integration.

Moldova's relations with the EU were formally enshrined in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which was signed on 28 November 1994 and entered into force on 1 July 1998 for an initial period of 10 years, with the possibility of tacit prolongation. The document established the legal framework for bilateral relations between Moldova and the EU in the political, commercial, economic, legal, cultural and scientific field and aims to support Moldova in strengthening democracy and the rule of law, respecting human and minority rights by providing the appropriate framework Political dialogue, sustainable development of the economy and completion of the transition to the market economy by promoting trade, investment and harmonious economic relations.

The PCA has set up a Cooperation Council that meets once a year to monitor PCA implementation at the highest level.

The next step in the rapprochement with the EU was the Moldova-EU Action Plan elaborated under the European Neighborhood Policy and adopted in the February 2005 Cooperation Council. The Action Plan initially established cooperation strategies for a three-year period and was extended later repeatedly.

This Action Plan was replaced in 2014 by the Association Agenda, approved under the EU - Moldova Association Agreement which since September 1, 2014 constitutes the legal framework for the development of the RM-EU cooperation. In August 2017, the new Association Agenda was endorsed for the period 2017-2019, including short and medium term priorities for the EU-RM cooperation.

The policy of dialogue between the RM and the EU is ensured as well through a number of EU-Moldova Political Dialogue formats discussing Moldova's reform process, Moldova-EU relations, and topics of common interest in the field of foreign and security policy.