On June 27, 2014, the Republic of Moldova signed the Association Agreement with the European Union. The signing of the document in Brussels was a historic step and a promising start in the country’s EU accession process, IPN reports.
The document was signed by the then Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, in the presence of the heads of state and government of the 28 EU member states. Ratification in the plenary of the Parliament immediately followed on June 28, 2014. The opposition at the time did not vote for ratification, describing the step as a “betrayal of the country’s interests”.
By signing the agreement, which was the result of a diplomatic effort that began in 2010, Moldova undertook a series of economic, political, legal and administrative reforms to bring our country in line with European standards. The agreement also included the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which gave Moldovan producers access to European markets and the possibility to develop their economy.
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Moldova has concluded the agreement with Georgia and Ukraine in a tense geopolitical context – the crisis in Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and external pressure on the Eastern Partnership countries.
For Moldovan citizens, the signing of the agreement has brought a number of benefits, including visa liberalization, which has allowed the free movement of holders of biometric passports in the Schengen area.
For Moldova, the Association Agreement with the European Union has meant a step closer to the EU and a distancing from the Russian sphere of influence. After more than a decade since it was signed, our country is closer than ever to European integration and benefits from a range of EU facilities.
Over the next two months, IPN will present the events that have shaped Moldova’s recent history. Be part of the campaign and share the “History – making Events” stories with your friends, colleagues, and family.