Moldova’s EU accession talks to start by December
The Republic of Moldova is entering a decisive stage on its Moldova EU path. The upcoming European Commission report, set for November 4, is expected to confirm the substantial progress made over the past year in key areas.
Mihai Mogîldea, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), told the Moldova 1 show ÎN CONTEXT that the "2025 Enlargement Package" provides a solid foundation for launching EU accession negotiations on three clusters within the next month.
European Commission report: Symbolic validation for Moldova’s EU efforts
The IPRE expert views the report's publication as more than a technical step. He calls it a symbolic moment of validation of the Republic of Moldova's efforts to remain firmly committed to its European future. It also acknowledges the country's capacity to manage complex crises amid a tense geopolitical climate.
"The report will be published on Tuesday and should represent a significant step forward for our country," Mogîldea stated on Moldova 1. "We are adhering to democratic standards and managing to face major challenges for such a small country and for the entire region. We have made necessary strides in key areas: justice, anti-corruption, and institutional consolidation, particularly in the security and defense sector. We have maintained an active, productive dialogue with the European Union. Let's not forget the screening process was finalized in September."
Accession negotiations: A matter of months, not years
According to Mogîldea, Chișinău has not just maintained the pace of reforms; it has finalized essential technical stages for opening EU accession negotiations. This ensures the country will not be "left somewhat in the waiting room."
"A solution will be found for the Republic of Moldova to commence accession negotiations for three of the six clusters that can already be opened," the expert predicted. "This means that across the most vital areas—specifically fundamental values, external relations, and economic policies—we are ready to start. I believe this will happen either in November or December."
Scenarios for EU enlargement: Unanimous support for Moldova
Mihai Mogîldea highlighted that the Republic of Moldova enjoys nearly unanimous support from EU Member States in the EU enlargement process.
"It is the obligation of the Member States to find solutions to unblock a certain situation, to make this enlargement process more efficient, if they see that there are countries like Hungary that seem to be blocking the process. We must think more visionarily," the IPRE Deputy Executive Director asserted. "For the Republic of Moldova, there is no impediment today. All EU countries support us, all countries are ready, even tomorrow, to give us the green light for the opening of accession negotiations. In the coming months—and we are talking here about two to three months—things will move forward, and we will take firm steps in opening these negotiations."
Reluctance targets Ukraine, not Moldova
The expert suggested that any potential blockages in the EU enlargement process would stem from political solutions concerning Kyiv, rather than Chișinău.
"If there are certain problems, blockages related to the EU enlargement process, then we can return to this subject. But today there are some more reluctant states, but not towards our country; the reluctance exists towards Ukraine," Mogîldea clarified.
The director underscored the strategic importance of the European Union's enlargement and the high stakes involved.
"The EU must grant this accession opportunity to countries prepared to become part of the community bloc," he concluded on the public television channel. "EU enlargement is a priority today, necessary to ensure democracy and regional security in states where Russia's influence is still visible. Russia's hybrid threats are functioning at maximum capacity, and Russia continues to pose a major challenge to the modernization of states, including the Republic of Moldova. This is a historic chance that we must seize."
The European Commission will publish the 2025 Enlargement Report on November 4. It contains the annual assessment of progress for each candidate country, including the Republic of Moldova. The document, which Teleradio-Moldova consulted, notes that Moldova has accelerated its progress on the path to accession and significantly deepened its cooperation with the EU, despite continuous hybrid threats and attempts to destabilize the country and its Moldova EU path.
On the same day, President Maia Sandu will deliver a speech at the Euronews Summit on the Enlargement of the European Union in Brussels, dedicated to the accession process of new member states.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
