Moldova

EU - Moldova Relations

The EU cooperates with the Republic of Moldova in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership, with the objective to bring Moldova closer to the EU.

Moldova’s EU path

On 3 March 2022, Moldova applied for EU membership. On 17 June 2022, the European Commission presented its Opinions on the applications submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. Based on the Commission’s Opinion, Moldova was given a European perspective on 23 June 2022 by unanimous agreement between the leaders of all 27 EU Member States.

On 14 December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with the country. The first intergovernmental conference, marking the formal launch of the accession negotiations, was held on 25 June 2024. Following this, the screening – the process through which the EU presents its acquis and Moldova assesses its level of compliance with it – is now underway and progressing smoothly. The screening process is being carried out in clusters of negotiation chapters, and the Commission sent the first screening report on the Fundamentals Cluster to the Council on 16 January 2025. Subject to Moldova meeting all the conditions and agreement among Member States, the Commission looks forward to opening negotiations on all clusters, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible.

EU Solidarity with Moldova

The EU is supporting Moldova's energy security through increasing domestic electricity production, participation in the EU common gas purchasing mechanism, boosting renewables and focusing on energy efficiency. 

Moreover, since December 2021, the EU has disbursed millions of euro worth of budget support to help support vulnerable families and SMEs facing the rising energy costs. These actions are also aimed at supporting the long-term socio-economic recovery, energy security and energy transition. An additional offer of EUR 60 million has been made for the people of the Transnistrian region after they were left with no heating or electricity following Gazprom’s decision to halt energy supplies in winter 2025. 

The EU and the Republic of Moldova have also agreed on a two-year Comprehensive Strategy for Energy Independence and Resilience. This strategy is underpinned by support worth up to EUR 250 million in 2025 alone and includes direct budget support of up to EUR 100 million, conditional on reforms. It will help Moldovan citizens, social institutions such as schools, hospitals and kindergartens, and businesses who are facing steep energy price increases pay their bills.

During the 5^thHigh-Level Energy Dialogue on 2 February 2024, Moldova and the EU endorsed a new Joint Moldova-Energy Community and European Commission Roadmap. This roadmap sets out further reforms covering the gas and electricity markets, as well as measures to boost energy efficiency and renewable energy capacity.

In addition to energy security, the EU is helping Moldova counter foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, and enhancing strategic communication through providing technical support to the Moldovan government and capacity building for independent media civil society and youth to address disinformation and to communicate actively on the benefits of EU integration.

The EU is also enhancing Moldova's security through targeted actions guided by the High Level Political and Security Dialogue; expanding cooperation through the EU Partnership Mission to Moldova, the EU-Moldova Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management, the EU Border Assistance Mission, as well as with European agencies notably Frontex, Europol, Eurojust and CEPOL; strengthening Moldova's defence sector through the European Peace Facility, and its internal security and border management through targeted investments and provision of equipment. Between 2021-2025, the EU has allocated EUR 197 million through the European Peace Facility, enabling the Moldovan Armed Forces to improve their operational effectiveness, accelerate meeting EU standards and interoperability. 

Facilitating economic development and connectivity – such as support for SMEs, trade, energy efficiency, human capital development and connectivity – also remains a priority for the EU in Moldova. 

Moldova participates in the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes initiative that helps the country ensure secure supply chains and food security. Since 2023, Moldova has benefited from almost EUR 45 million in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility for Transport to improve transport connections between Moldova and Romania. Building on the achievement to reduce roaming prices, the EU is working to bring Roam Like at Home permanently to Moldova by 2026. On 13 May 2024, the Council approved the renewal of the EU’s autonomous trade measures for Moldova – a temporary suspension of import duties and quotas on all imports from Moldova to the EU - which will apply until July 2025. 

Finally, the EU is supporting Moldova's reforms through efforts to strengthen administrative capacity, advisory services focusing on challenges arising from the accession process, dedicated training and support programmes, as well as increasing the participation in EU programmes. Moldova currently participates in programmes such as: Horizon Europe, Fiscalis, Customs, LIFE, EU4Health, the Connecting Europe Facility, the Single Market programme, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) Digital Europe and the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).

Some of these efforts are set out in the Support Package for the Republic of Moldova presented by President von der Leyen in June 2023, which aims to address the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and bring Moldova closer to the EU. The package was presented in recognition of the challenges Moldova has faced since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, such as large numbers of refugees, inflation, threats to its energy supplies, violations of its airspace, as well as a multitude of hybrid attacks, such as disinformation and cyber-attacks.

Growth Plan for Moldova

On 10 October 2024, the European Commission proposed a Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, worth EUR 1.9 billion and underpinned by a Reform and Growth Facility for the period 2025-2027. Supporting the country’s socio-economic convergence is essential for Moldova’s EU accession and key to rapid progression on the enlargement path. The Growth Plan, which is the largest ever EU financial support package, has the potential to double Moldova's economy over the next decade. It will bring the country closer to EU membership by accelerating reforms, improving Moldova’s access to the EU’s single market, mobilise investments for jobs and growth and, most importantly, transform the lives of ordinary citizens.

In March 2025, the Reform and Growth Facility was approved by the Council and the European Parliament.

EU Funding and Support

The EU is the largest provider of financial assistance to Moldova. The EU supports socioeconomic development and reforms in Moldova, with financial and technical assistance through the Neighbourhood Development and Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). EU assistance is based on strict conditionality and is linked to satisfactory progress in reforms and the respect of the rule of law, effective democratic mechanisms and human rights.

Since 2021, the EU has reaffirmed its support for, and solidarity with, Moldova by allocating over EUR 1.2 billion in non-repayable grants to Moldova. Funding is channelled through multiple financial instruments such as direct budget support, macro-financial assistance, technical assistance programmes, and investment projects with international financial institutions co-funded or guaranteed by the EU. In addition, the EU announced a EUR 1.9 billion Growth Plan for Moldova in October 2024. This funding will be disbursed over the next three years and is expected to help mobilise EUR 2.5 billion of investments in transport, energy, agriculture and irrigation as well as schools and hospitals. Successfully implemented, the Growth Plan has the potential to double the country’s economy over the next decade.

Further information

Factsheets available to download