The current political landscape in the European Union has been turbulent. Moldova has made a direct appeal to the political bloc to maintain consistent and predictable criteria during accession negotiations. Currently, the EU is seeking to balance internal policy reforms with the expansion of its member states. Taking advantage of this scenario, Chisinau is trying to ensure that its integration is not jeopardized by variable political decisions or even internal disputes among the countries that make up the bloc. Moldova has implemented important reforms and hopes that the EU will maintain consistency, commitment, and clarity in the next stages of this process. Learn more about this subject.
Advances and expectations that Moldova has in this race for accession
In recent years, Moldova has intensified its efforts to align itself with European standards. The nation has undertaken administrative reforms, combated corruption, and strengthened its democratic institutions. These actions have been a priority of the government of Maia Sandu, which has increasingly sought to bring the country closer to the political and economic model of the European Union.
In a recent enlargement report, the European Commission acknowledged Moldova’s progress, highlighting that, along with Ukraine, Albania, and Montenegro, the country is among those that have made the most progress in the integration process into the bloc. Despite this, it was emphasized that Moldova must continue strengthening its rule of law and judicial independence, which are fundamental elements for achieving the country’s objective with the bloc: concluding negotiations by 2028.
For President Maia Sandu, this goal is “ambitious, but possible.” According to the president, the country has not sought shortcuts, but rather guarantees that the agreement with the European bloc will be treated with the same parameters applied to other candidates.
What are the internal challenges facing the European Union amidst this treaty?
Amidst the race between candidate countries, which demonstrate the political will to belong to the European Union, the bloc itself faces a dilemma: how prepared is it to receive new members? Countries like France and Germany have already expressed concern that the current EU structure could become even more complex with the entry of new countries.
The most sensitive topic within the European bloc is the issue of vetoes. Examples include Hungary and Slovakia, which frequently block joint decisions, raising doubts about the efficiency of this expansion of the bloc. Due to this issue, some members advocate for the creation of a “probationary period” for new countries, meaning they would be temporarily restricted in their veto rights.
Moldova between regional progress and tensions
There are also external challenges at play in Moldova’s process towards the European Union. The country’s geographical and historical proximity to Russia is a factor that keeps it under constant political and energy tension. Russia has already positioned itself against the expansion of the EU and NATO into territories it considers part of its sphere of influence and has used gas supplies and disinformation as instruments of pressure to prevent this process from happening.
What can we expect from Moldova’s entry into the European Union?
Moldova’s request for consistent criteria for entry into the bloc reflects a desire for predictability and confidence in this process, which often depends more on politics than on the country’s own merit.
While the EU reviews its own rules and priorities, Moldova is trying to reinforce its commitment to reforms and good governance practices to signal the institutional maturity desired by the bloc, which seeks a balanced partnership. After all, the enlargement of the European Union is more than a bureaucratic process: it is a promise of unity, stability, and a shared future among the participating countries.