Moldova is accelerating its path towards European Union membership, with reforms and the opening of the remaining negotiating clusters taking centre stage at the Annual EU Enlargement Conference in Chisinau.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos praised the country’s progress, describing its movement towards EU membership as an unusually rapid process. President Maia Sandu, meanwhile, spoke about the difficult years Moldova had experienced and the opportunity to become part of a united Europe.
MARTA KOS, EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR ENLARGEMENT:
“Moldova is making leaps towards EU membership. Or I could say Moldova is jumping towards EU membership. It is not walking, it is not moving slowly. It is really, really jumping. And this is what the 2026 Enlargement Report confirms.”
Kos highlighted the accelerated pace of reforms, including difficult changes such as the vetting of judges. She said Moldova had achieved this progress despite unprecedented external pressure, crediting the determination and political will of the country’s institutions, as well as cooperation between the government, Parliament and civil society.
The European Commissioner also confirmed that Brussels expects the Council of the European Union to give the green light to opening Moldova’s remaining two negotiating clusters. The European Commission is also finalising a positive assessment of the country’s interim benchmarks under the fundamentals cluster.
However, Kos stressed that independent courts, the fight against corruption and strong democratic institutions remain decisive requirements for EU membership.
President Maia Sandu also addressed Moldova’s European future, recalling the years when the country faced dependency and energy pressure.
MAIA SANDU, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA:
“Moldova’s path has been more difficult. Our country has lost years during which it was kept dependent, subjected to energy blackmail and prevented from opening up. Today, we have the chance to make up for lost time and become part of the European Union, of a united Europe where all countries are equal and the rules are respected.”
Moldova has already opened four of the six negotiating clusters: Fundamentals, Internal Market, Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth, and External Relations. The remaining two cover the Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, as well as Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion.
In its 2026 Enlargement Report, the European Commission confirmed that Moldova has met the conditions required to open the remaining clusters and proposed a roadmap for the next stage of accession negotiations.
According to the Commission’s outlook, Moldova could provisionally close 25 negotiating chapters in 2027, provided that the necessary reforms continue and the required benchmarks are met.
The Moldovan authorities have set the objective of concluding accession negotiations by early 2028. The European Commission considers this target ambitious but achievable, provided the country maintains its current pace of reforms.
The Annual EU Enlargement Conference is taking place in Chisinau on November 9–10, bringing together European officials, policymakers, experts and representatives of civil society to discuss Moldova’s progress and the next steps towards EU membership.