At the EU–Moldova Summit, European Council President António Costa said he has no doubt that the Republic of Moldova deserves to join the European Union.
He praised Moldova’s progress in the accession process but urged authorities to continue working to meet the national goal of EU integration.
“We have started with the first cluster, but now we must work harder and faster to open all the other clusters, because enlargement towards Moldova is a priority for us, and there is no doubt that you deserve to join the European Union as soon as possible. We have overcome political blockages. Now only hard work remains, and no one is better placed than you to achieve this,” Costa said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also highlighted Moldova’s Growth Plan and said the country is advancing quickly in its EU accession process.
She called the reform progress “impressive” and said Moldova is aligning itself with EU single market standards, which is creating new opportunities for Moldovan companies. She added that the EU has already started disbursing parts of the €1.9 billion Growth Plan in tranches.
President Maia Sandu said Moldovan authorities are working intensively to deliver results and create new opportunities within the European integration process.
Leaders gathered in Brussels on 22 June for the second EU–Moldova Summit, where they are discussing the next steps in accession negotiations, reform priorities, regional security, defence cooperation, energy, and EU support for Moldova’s economic development.
An orchestra played the Moldovan national anthem at the start of the summit at the Council of the European Union.