Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi: Accelerating Reforms and Opening New Negotiation Clusters Confirm Moldova’s European Path

The Republic of Moldova is strengthening its position on the path toward European Union membership, while the pace of reforms is becoming a key factor for enhancing economic competitiveness, strengthening democratic institutions, and attracting investment

This was one of the key messages delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, during the high-level debate on the enlargement of the European Union, organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

The Moldovan official’s participation in the meeting dedicated to the future of EU enlargement comes at an important moment for the country, following the opening of negotiations on Cluster 1 – “Fundamentals” and Cluster 6 – “External Relations”, two milestones regarded as essential in Moldova’s accession process.

Reforms remain the driving force behind European integration

During the panel discussion “Building a Safer, More Resilient and Secure Europe”, Mihai Popșoi presented the progress achieved by the Republic of Moldova in implementing reforms and highlighted the important role of civil society in supporting democratic and institutional transformation.

According to the minister, the opening of negotiations on the two clusters demonstrates that the reforms implemented by the Moldovan authorities are recognized at the European level and provide fresh momentum for the country’s EU accession process.

The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that European integration remains the Republic of Moldova’s strategic objective and that the success of this process depends on the active involvement of public institutions, the business community, civil society, and citizens alike.

“We will intensify our reform agenda to bring the Republic of Moldova closer to the European family. Above all, these efforts are aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life, ensuring they benefit from better public services and the same standards enjoyed by European citizens,” the minister stated.

European integration also means economic opportunities

From an economic perspective, accelerating the accession process represents a crucial factor in strengthening investor confidence and bringing the Republic of Moldova closer to the European Single Market.

The implementation of the EU acquis requires the modernization of legislation, the strengthening of the rule of law, greater institutional transparency, and the development of a predictable investment climate—all of which directly contribute to the competitiveness of Moldova’s economy.

At the same time, alignment with European standards facilitates Moldovan companies’ access to the EU market, encourages foreign direct investment, and creates favorable conditions for infrastructure development, public administration digitalization, and higher economic productivity.

Countering disinformation as part of democratic resilience

In his remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also presented Moldova’s experience in countering foreign interference and disinformation campaigns, emphasizing that democratic resilience is an essential component of the European integration process.

He underlined the contribution of independent media and civil society organizations in safeguarding democratic processes and strengthening society’s ability to respond to information warfare and external influence attempts.

These efforts have become increasingly important as information security and institutional resilience are now among the European Union’s key priorities for candidate countries.

Strengthening dialogue with European institutions

Mihai Popșoi also welcomed the cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the European Economic and Social Committee, praising the institution’s role in fostering dialogue between European authorities and civil society organizations from EU candidate countries.

This partnership contributes to aligning Moldova with European standards of participatory governance while facilitating the exchange of best practices in implementing accession-related reforms.

A new momentum for Moldova’s European future

The Republic of Moldova’s participation in the debate on the future of EU enlargement confirms that accession remains one of Chișinău’s strategic priorities. Following the opening of negotiations on the new clusters, the authorities intend to accelerate reforms in key areas, including justice, public administration, the economy, foreign policy, and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

For the business community and investors, the continuation of Moldova’s European path sends a strong signal of stability and predictability, while alignment with European Union standards is regarded as one of the main drivers of sustainable economic development and long-term competitiveness.