Iwona Piórko, Head of the EU Delegation to Chișinău: “The opening of negotiations on the ‘Fundamental Values’ cluster is a recognition of the Republic of Moldova’s progress and an important milestone in the accession process”

The official launch of the Republic of Moldova’s European Union accession negotiations for the first cluster of chapters, entitled “Fundamental Values,” confirms the country’s progress and marks a defining milestone in its European integration journey.

The statement was made by the Head of the European Union Delegation to Chișinău, Iwona Piórko, during an interview with TVR Moldova.

Recognition of the Efforts Made by the Authorities and Citizens

According to the European diplomat, both the state institutions and the citizens of the Republic of Moldova have worked tirelessly to reach this stage of the accession negotiations. She recalled that the European Commission had also confirmed in its latest Enlargement Report that the Republic of Moldova is ready to open political negotiations.

At the same time, Iwona Piórko emphasized that work did not stop after the publication of the report, as technical negotiations continued uninterrupted, helping to consolidate the progress achieved. In her view, this success belongs to the entire country and represents a significant milestone in the EU accession process.

The Accession Process Depends on the Pace of Reforms

Referring to the Moldovan authorities’ objective of signing the Accession Treaty by 2028 and becoming a full member of the European Union around 2030, the Head of the EU Delegation stressed that enlargement is not driven by fixed deadlines but by the implementation of reforms and the results achieved.

She highlighted that the European Union supports the Government of Moldova’s ambition and encourages the continuation of reforms at a sustained pace.

An Ambitious Yet Achievable Goal

Iwona Piórko believes that the Republic of Moldova’s intention to sign the Accession Treaty in 2028 is an ambitious objective but one that can become a reality if the reform process continues and is further accelerated. According to her, the rapid progress achieved so far has already been acknowledged in the European Commission’s Enlargement Report.

Political and Financial Support from the European Union

The European official also underlined the substantial political and economic support that the European Union provides to the Republic of Moldova. She recalled that during the recent visit to Chișinău by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, projects and initiatives worth €1 billion were announced at the EU–Moldova Investment Conference.

In addition, the Republic of Moldova benefits from the European Union’s Growth Plan, valued at €1.9 billion, which is designed to accelerate economic development and support the implementation of reforms.

Negotiations for the First Cluster Officially Launched in Luxembourg

During the meeting held in Luxembourg, the Republic of Moldova officially launched negotiations on the “Fundamental Values” cluster, which covers key areas such as the rule of law, judicial reform, the functioning of democratic institutions, respect for fundamental rights, and the fight against corruption.

Later this evening, Cyprus Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Munteanu, will hold a press conference dedicated to this important milestone in the country’s European integration path.