The first ever EU-Moldova Summit: A historic step forward on Moldova’s path to the EU

“Moldova is ready to open the chapter on fundamental rights and we are looking forward to opening all the negotiation chapters,” said Ursula von der Leyen.

The leaders of the European Union declared on Friday, in Chișinău, during the first joint summit, that the Republic of Moldova is ready to open negotiation chapters and that they will act to accelerate the accession process. During the press conference following the conclusion of the summit’s work, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the first 270 million euros from the Economic Growth Plan will enter the accounts of the Moldovan government, after the authorities have implemented several reforms required by the community bloc.

“Moldova is ready to open the chapter on fundamental rights and we are eager to open all the negotiation chapters,” said Ursula von der Leyen. The progress of the authorities in Chișinău was also appreciated by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, who stated at the press conference after the summit that there is a need to accelerate Moldova’s accession process. The first edition of the EU-Moldova summit, held in Chișinău, was described by President Maia Sandu as one that sends a clear message from the European Union and shows that “our country’s accession to the EU is already happening.”

“We talked about how and when we will join; we no longer talk about whether,” Sandu said at the press conference after the summit. However, the head of state emphasized that the only risk in the process of Moldova’s accession to the EU is “that we stop,” referring to the parliamentary elections in the autumn, where the chances of a pro-European parliamentary majority are uncertain.

The event was attended by the leadership of the Republic of Moldova: President Maia Sandu, the President of the Parliament, Igor Grosu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean, and European officials – President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, António Costa.

Source: Government of the Republic of Moldova