Brussels has begun evaluating Moldova’s readiness to join the European Union, focusing on agriculture and rural development, food safety, fisheries, and aquaculture. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry will lead the screening process, which starts Monday, June 2, with Chapter 13 – Fisheries and Aquaculture, IPN reports.
This chapter plays a strategic role in Moldova’s commitment to sustainably managing aquatic resources, strengthening food security, supporting rural economic development tied to fisheries and aquaculture, regulating the common market, and combating illegal fishing.
As part of Moldova’s legislative alignment with the EU acquis, authorities plan to review and transpose about 20 EU legislative acts. Immediate priorities include finalizing the National Aquaculture Program and establishing an effective control system to block imports of fishery products linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
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Ina Butucel, Deputy Secretary General of State and coordinator of the ministerial group leading the dialogue with the European Commission emphasized that the screening marks a new phase in cooperation with EU institutions. “These sessions pave the way for formulating the positions of both the Republic of Moldova and the European Commission on accession prospects in agriculture, food safety, fisheries, and aquaculture,” she said.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted that these assessment sessions are critical for preparing accession negotiations. Officials are consulting with relevant associations to define Moldova’s national position, including negotiating conditions and transition periods for sensitive areas in the agro-industrial sector.