European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos Supports Accelerating the Republic of Moldova’s EU Accession Negotiations

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated in Luxembourg that the European Union aims to open all five remaining negotiation clusters with the Republic of Moldova by the end of the summer.

The announcement was made following the official launch of the first negotiation cluster in the country’s accession process to the European Union.

According to the European official, the next stage involves fulfilling the interim benchmarks, a prerequisite that will enable the Republic of Moldova to begin closing individual negotiation chapters.

The Integration of the Republic of Moldova: A Strategic Interest for the European Union

Marta Kos emphasized that the Republic of Moldova’s accession is not merely an aspiration of the authorities in Chișinău but also a strategic objective for the European Union. In her view, the country’s integration will generate significant economic benefits, create new opportunities for investors, and strengthen the European labor market through the contribution of a highly skilled workforce, particularly in the digital sector.

Security: The Primary Argument for Enlargement

The European Commissioner believes that the Republic of Moldova’s most valuable contribution to the European Union will be in the field of security. She pointed out that, for the first time in the history of the enlargement process, external actors are attempting to divert candidate countries from their European path.

In this context, Marta Kos warned that failing to integrate the Republic of Moldova into the EU could allow external forces to use the country against Europe’s shared interests, making accession beneficial for both sides.

Mutual Commitment Between Brussels and Chișinău

The European official recalled that granting candidate country status represented a mutual commitment between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova. Through this decision, Brussels undertook to support the reforms necessary to transform the country into a free, prosperous, and secure state.

She also praised the progress achieved by the Moldovan authorities in recent years and congratulated the team responsible for the European integration process on the efforts made.

A New Step in the Accession Negotiations

The Council of the European Union officially approved on Monday the opening of the first accession negotiation cluster with the Republic of Moldova, marking the beginning of a new phase in the country’s European journey and reinforcing the prospect of its integration into the European Union.