The European Commission opened up a new office in Moldova on 6 October 2005 headed by Cesare de Montis. Autonomous trade preferences provide duty-free and quota-free access for almost all Moldovan goods to the EU market.

The Delegation of the European Union to Moldova was opened in Chişinău in October 2005, having the status of a diplomatic mission and officially represents the EU in the Republic of Moldova.
Following the application of the Association Agreement, EU imports from the Republic of Moldova increased by 5.5% in 2015 and by 7.7% in 2016. The EU has also agreed to provide macro-financial assistance to Moldova subject to the respect of precise and specific preconditions, including political preconditions. EU financial aid to Moldova has funded numerous and diverse projects, including: The EU is also supporting the implementation of confidence-building measures in the Transnistrian region of Moldova through health care and social projects. Unless otherwise mentioned “EU” concerns for all indicated years the current European Union of 27 Member States.

[25][26], The integration process, however, has been hampered by many internal issues. Relations between Moldova and the European Union (EU) are currently shaped via the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), an EU foreign policy instrument dealing with countries bordering its member states. Reference documents: Moldova has strong ties to EU member state Romania. [31], A poll in June 2018 found that 46% preferred that Moldova join the EU versus 36% that preferred to join the Eurasian Economic Union.[32]. [1] The EU has opened an office in Chişinău (the Moldovan capital), and on 23 March 2005 appointed Adriaan Jacobovits de Szeged as special representative to Moldova with a focus on the resolution of the crisis in Transnistria. Now, more than ever, the European Union, the Member States and other like-minded governments need to join forces, programme their development cooperation together and, eventually, develop a strategic and coordinated response to key challenges such as migration and climate change. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Delegation of the European Union to Moldova, Political Alliance for a European Moldova, Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova, Moldova–European Union Association Agreement, "European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Frequently asked questions on languages in Europe", Moldova-EU Action Plan Approved by European Commission, "Moldova seeks Romania's European expertise", "EU Commissioner: EU, Ukraine May Sign Association Agreement Next Year", "Initialling of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Agreement", "EU forges closer ties with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova", "MAEIE salută ratificarea Acordului de Asociere RM-UE de către Parlamentul Republicii Moldova", Ministry of the Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova, "EU Gives Moldovans 'Action Plan' For Visa-Free Travel", "Lithuanian minister: EU, Moldova may shift to visa-free travel in early 2014", "European Parliamentary Committee OKs Lifting Visa Regime", "Commissioner Malmström on visa-free travel for Moldova", "Commissioner Malmström on visa-free travel for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova", "Georgia can apply for EU membership if it complies with democratic principles", "Moldova Says It Would Leave CIS Only After Becoming EU Candidate", "Moldova: a step too far for EU enlargement? [30] There is concern in Gagauzia that Moldova's integration with the EU could lead to such a unification with EU member Romania, which is unpopular in the autonomous region. The Agreement was signed on 28 November 1994 and entered into force on 1 July 1998 for the next 10 years. The new framework is innovative and ambitious, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and an Association Agenda aimed at furthering economic integration and political association between Moldova and the EU.

If Moldovan companies adopt EU product standards, this will open additional markets for them. The Joint Strategy thus builds upon the shared views and objectives, and the existing and future financial assistance planning of the European partners and is designed to ensure enhanced coordinated policy dialogue, as well as joint monitoring of reform implementation in accordance with the EU-Moldova AA/DCFTA. There is concern in Gagauzia that Moldova's integration with the EU could lead to such a unification with EU member Romania, which is unpopular in the autonomous region. The Association Agreement replaces the previous Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which had been in force since July 1998. The EU Moldova Action Plan is a political document laying out the strategic objectives of cooperation between Moldova and the EU. Moldova and the EU began negotiating an Association Agreement (AA), including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, to replace the PCA in January 2010. The Joint Strategy is structured around the following four broad areas of intervention: Three cross-cutting priorities were also identified: civil society, gender equality and strategic communication.

The number of companies involved in trade with the EU has continued to increase, with approximately 1 837 Moldovan companies exporting to the EU in 2019 up from 1 734 firms engaged in exporting to the EU in 2018. In reality, Moldova has managed to become in a few years a regional center to launder billions from Eastern Europe to the EU and a place for corrupt officials and criminals to steal billions of dollars and to protect themselves from prosecution. Membership of the Eurasian Economic Union is not compatible with the Association Agreement with the European Union. The food safety reform will enable Moldova to export its agricultural products, notably animal products, whose safety for consumers is strictly controlled in the EU. improving public administration and financial management; emergency aid responding to increases in heating tariffs; energy production based on solar and agricultural waste, waste collection; water supply and waste water treatment infrastructure.


The process leading to the Joint Strategy started in early 2015, when the European Union and 15 EU Member States plus Switzerland agreed to conduct a Joint Analysis of the economic and social development context of Moldova.

In 2014, the EU and Moldova agreed an Association Agenda, which will be soon replaced by a new Agenda. They share a common language, traditions and culture. The Eastern Partnership offers both bilateral and multilateral measures for enhanced cooperation. The EU and Moldova meet regularly to discuss issues and best practices when applying the DCFTA Agreement. As detailed in the general approach, the Mobility Partnership organises cooperation in the field of migration, including areas such as legal migration, development and fighting against illegal migration. Partnership countries and the EU commit to deepening their ties, including through free trade agreements, eventual visa liberalisation and EU-funded projects. The Union also supports efforts to achieve Transnistria settlement. It is a policy tool contributing to a stronger Europe, by bringing together resources and capacities. This means they receive the same treatment as domestic companies in the partner's market when setting up a business.

The main EU imports from Moldova are electrical machinery and equipment (notably insulated wire and cables), apparel and clothing and oil seeds (especially sunflower seeds).

Moldova’s development path in recent years has been guided by the EU-Moldova Association Agreement (signed in 2014 and fully in force from July 2016). During the interwar period the two countries were united. This has provided considerable support to Moldovan companies, since 50 % of Moldovan trade is with the EU. Peter MICHALKO, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, on the occasion of the launch of EU Green Week 2020, World Food Day: Food for thought to build back better, World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2020: Joint Declaration by the High Representative of the European Union and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The aim of Moldova's adoption of EU approaches to policy-making is to improve governance, strengthen the rule of law and provide more economic opportunities by widening the EU market to Moldovan goods and services. The EU is also working to ease air travel and agricultural trade with Moldova.

Thank you Mr President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament and Mr Rapporteur [Dragoș Tudorache]. The Republic of Moldova participates in many EU agreements and programmes.