Moldova Seeks Deeper Integration Into EU Transport Network

Bolia negotiates in Brussels on Moldova’s integration into the European transport network

Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolia is on a working visit to Brussels from 28 to 30 September, where he will take part in the ‘Connecting Europe’ Days and hold a series of meetings with representatives of the European Commission, financial institutions and partners in the transport sector.

Vladimir Bolea

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On the first day of the visit, discussions centred on major infrastructure projects that will enable the Republic of Moldova to integrate more effectively into the European transport network, their financing, and the promotion of reforms necessary for the process of accession to the European Union.

During a meeting with Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), the Deputy Prime Minister raised the issue of the Ungheni–Chișinău European railway project, for which a feasibility study is currently being drawn up with the support of JASPERS. Moldova requested that this project be maintained among the European Commission’s strategic priorities and that support be provided in identifying the sources of funding required for its implementation.

The agenda also included the Iași–Ungheni–Chișinău motorway project. The preliminary phase of the feasibility study has been completed, and work is currently under way to draw up the feasibility study. The Moldovan side requested support for the inclusion of the project in future European funding programmes.

Another topic concerned the preservation of the liberalised regime for road freight transport between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union. The current agreement remains in force until 31 March 2027, and the Ministry of Infrastructure has requested that discussions on its extension begin as soon as possible, so that Moldovan hauliers can continue to benefit from the liberalised regime for bilateral and transit operations.

Discussions were also held with representatives of the Directorate-General for Transport and Logistics regarding the Republic of Moldova’s progress in bringing its transport legislation into line with European standards and ways to accelerate this process. Currently, 98 draft legislative acts are at an advanced stage of development, of which 59 are undergoing expert assessment by the European Commission.

€20 million for railway reconstruction

Vladimir Bolya also met with Peter Wagner, Director of the European Commission’s Foreign Policy Instruments Service (FPI). Discussions focused on rail transport and infrastructure, including in the context of the ‘Lines of Solidarity’ initiative. Cooperation with the FPI also includes €20 million in support provided to Moldova for the reconstruction of certain sections of the North-South railway line along the route Velchinets–Ocnita–Balti–Ungheni–Chisinau–Cainari.

The agenda for the meetings also included discussions with Apostolos Tsitsikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, with representatives of the European Investment Bank, and with Serhii Derkach, a representative of Ukraine’s Ministry of Community and Territorial Development. During the discussions, the Republic of Moldova’s transport priorities were examined, as were road infrastructure projects supported by the EIB – including the Rîșcani–Briceni section and Lot III of the Chișinău municipal ring road – as well as Moldovan-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of transport and regional transport connectivity.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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