Support for European integration
Leaders reaffirmed a steady partnership aimed at drawing Moldova closer to the European Union. The overarching goal is to bolster Moldova’s readiness for candidate status and accelerate the steps required to meet prospective EU benchmarks. The emphasis remains on practical support that can translate into tangible improvements for families and communities across the country.
According to the delegates, the assistance will concentrate on strengthening the economy and the energy sector, ensuring Moldova can weather global pressures while integrating European standards in its institutions and markets. The European Union is committed to backing reforms that align Moldova with EU norms, policies, and regulatory frameworks, providing a clear pathway toward higher living standards and sustainable growth.
“The aim is clear: to develop the country, construct a robust state that can guarantee security and stability for its citizens, fight corruption, grow the economy, and offer young people real opportunities at home,” stated the Moldovan President Maia Sandu at the press briefing. The remarks underscored a long-term vision for a secure, prosperous, and inclusive society, built on European principles and governance practices.
The president highlighted the longstanding friendship with the EU, underscored by decades of joint activity across multiple sectors. The partnership is viewed as a reliable foundation for future collaboration and reform efforts that benefit both Moldova and its European partners.
Charles Michel noted that the European Union plans to provide additional military equipment to Moldova’s armed forces as part of a broader security and defense cooperation package. “This year, the scale of our support will be expanded to include more gear and resources to strengthen Moldova’s defense capabilities,” he indicated. In parallel, the EU will assist in countering disinformation and defending against cyber threats, recognizing the growing importance of resilience in the information environment and digital space.
Moldova’s desire to join the European Union
On March 3, Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced the formal application to join the European Union, framing it as a commitment to securing a dignified standard of living for future generations. The move signals a strategic orientation toward deeper ties with Europe and a readiness to undertake a comprehensive accession process.
“Today we are submitting the application for accession to the European Union, a step that will be transmitted to the EU leadership in France, which currently oversees the Union’s European agenda. We stand ready to do everything necessary to fulfill this fundamental duty for the country,” the president affirmed. The ceremony took place with the presence of Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița and the speaker of parliament, Igor Grosu, reflecting a unified political resolve.
The president noted that Moldova’s growth journey has spanned three decades, culminating in a renewed commitment to future responsibility. The people want to live in peace, democracy, and prosperity, and the authorities pledged to pursue reforms that make those aspirations a lived reality for everyone.
Earlier statements from Sandu emphasized the urgency of accelerating European integration, a sentiment shared by the government. In Luxembourg on April 11, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Oliver Varhelyi distributed questionnaires to the Foreign Ministers of Georgia and Moldova to begin the EU accession process. In response, Moldova’s Foreign Minister Nikolai Popescu committed to answering all questions within a week to assess readiness and identify areas requiring improvement.
On April 12, Popescu indicated that Moldova sought broad support from all EU member states for the country’s European integration track, aiming to secure both technical assistance and political backing. He stressed the importance of timely and precise responses to the survey, noting a tight timetable. The plan was to convene with the president, the prime minister, and representatives from every EU member state after completing the questionnaire, as documented by Moldova 1 TV.
Popescu further explained that Moldova has for many years worked to align its legislation with EU norms, highlighting substantial progress along the path to potential candidate status. He pointed to the geopolitical realities surrounding Ukraine as a factor that has sharpened the EU agenda and reinforced the resolve to make historic choices for Moldova’s future. The minister also asserted that Moldova enjoys broad support within the EU, enabling access to technical support from the European Commission and political support from individual member states.
In closing remarks, Popescu emphasized Moldova’s ongoing commitment to a comprehensive reform program and its readiness to engage with the European Union on a transparent, results-driven basis. The message conveyed a clear sense of momentum and a practical approach to advancing Moldova’s European integration objectives.