Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Doina Nistor visited Brussels, where she held high-level meetings with key European officials to advance Moldova’s economic integration into the European Union. The agenda focused on enhancing trade, aligning regulations, boosting competitiveness, and strengthening Moldova’s role in the EU’s financial and defense value chains.
“We are working with our European partners to bring tangible benefits to the people and businesses of the Republic of Moldova. We are building a new economy rooted in added value, innovation, and high productivity,” stated Minister Nistor.
Strengthening Trade Ties and Economic Security
Nistor met with Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Sabine Weyand, Director-General for Trade at the European Commission. Discussions focused on the concrete steps needed to align Moldova’s economy with EU standards, diversify exports, and increase the added value of Moldovan products.
“We are already strongly anchored in the European economy—over 67% of our exports go to the EU market,” Nistor emphasized.
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The meetings also touched on the EU-supported Growth Plan for Moldova, which aims to modernize infrastructure, improve the business environment, and optimize public services.
Boosting Agricultural Exports to the EU
Agricultural development was another key focus of the visit. In a meeting with Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture, the sides reviewed the results of liberalized access for seven Moldovan agricultural products to the EU market. The impact has been significant:
- Apple exports grew from 6.8 million lei in 2021 to 273 million lei in 2024.
- Grape exports surged from 216 million lei to 768 million lei during the same period.
“We need a resilient agricultural sector—one that can withstand climate change and is built on digitization, smart solutions, and sustainable practices,” said Nistor.
Moldova’s Role in European Defense Industry
In meetings with Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense, and Timo Pesonen, Director-General for the Defense Industry, the discussion turned to Moldova’s integration into the European defense value chain. Moldova is positioning itself as a contributor of specialized expertise in:
- Electronics
- Cybersecurity
- Advanced engineering
- Production of sensors, communication systems, software, and drones
A Clear Message of Support from the EU
During the visit, three European commissioners reaffirmed their strong support for Moldova’s European path. Minister Nistor expressed gratitude for the EU’s consistent backing of Moldova’s development and reform efforts:
“We are grateful to the European Commission for its unwavering support. It confirms once again that #MoldovaCan,” she concluded.