Moldova and Ukraine lead EU accession reforms. European Commission proposes gradual integration and stronger democratic safeguards

The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are currently at the forefront of reforms required for European Union accession, recording the highest levels of implementation of EU standards among all candidate countries

The statement was made by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos during a meeting with members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Strong performance compared to other candidates

According to the European Commission’s assessments, Republica Moldova has reached a reform implementation rate of around 93%, while Ucraina stands at approximately 87%. These figures place both countries significantly ahead of other candidates, including Serbia, which reportedly has a progress rate of around 30%.

The European official highlighted Ukraine’s exceptional performance, considering that reforms are being implemented amid ongoing military aggression and severe institutional pressure caused by the war.

Cautious outlook on accession timelines

Despite the accelerated pace of reforms, the European Commission has tempered expectations regarding a fast-track accession process. Marta Kos stressed that earlier political targets, including the 2027 timeline mentioned by Ukrainian leadership, are not considered feasible under current geopolitical and institutional conditions.

Strengthening democratic safeguards

The Commission is also examining the introduction of stricter safeguard clauses in future accession treaties. These measures aim to prevent any democratic backsliding or institutional regression after countries become EU members.

Kos emphasized that the current enlargement methodology was designed for a time of peace and stability, and therefore requires adaptation to today’s geopolitical realities.

Gradual integration into the EU framework

To sustain reform momentum, the European Commission proposes a gradual integration strategy. This would allow candidate countries to access certain EU benefits before full membership is granted.

One example already in place is the gradual inclusion of candidate states in the EU roaming area, offering tangible benefits during the accession process.

Next step: opening cluster negotiations

Both Moldova and Ukraine are expected to move to the next stage of accession negotiations, structured around thematic clusters. These negotiations will cover key areas such as the rule of law, economic policy, governance, and alignment with the EU acquis.

The process could also be influenced by recent political developments within the EU, which may affect decision-making dynamics in the European Council and the pace of enlargement discussions.

Conclusion

The data presented by the European Commission confirms an unprecedented reform momentum in both Moldova and Ukraine. However, Brussels maintains a cautious approach, insisting that technical progress must be accompanied by long-term guarantees of democratic stability and institutional resilience.