Marta Kos assessed the Republic of Moldova’s prospects for EU accession

The Republic of Moldova has the chance to conclude its accession negotiations with the European Union by 2028, provided it maintains the current pace of reforms and achieves the agreed results. The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, believes that this objective, whilst ambitious, is achievable, and that the progress made by Chișinău could place the country in a position similar to that of Montenegro, which is nearing the end of its accession negotiations.

Marta Kos

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The remarks were made during the annual conference on the enlargement of the European Union – the ‘2026 Enlargement Package’. Marta Kos emphasised that the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress and that the opening of all negotiation clusters, followed by the closure of 25 chapters by 2027, would represent a decisive step towards the target set for 2028.

“We truly believe that we can close these 25 negotiation chapters by 2027. We need to understand very clearly what this will mean. This will place Moldova exactly where Montenegro is today. And when we talk about Montenegro, we understand that this country is already nearing the end of the negotiation process and the accession treaty is being prepared. This means that, once you have delivered these results, you will find yourselves in exactly the same position. “If the reform process continues at the same pace, this will put you on a very credible path to concluding negotiations by 2028,” said Kos, adding that this is achievable.

The European Commissioner stated that the support of Member States will depend on their confidence in the Republic of Moldova’s ability to continue reforms and demonstrate results. At the same time, she emphasised that the process of European integration must bring about tangible improvements in people’s lives, not merely involve meeting technical criteria.

“We will continue to improve living standards for all citizens,” said Marta Kos.

During discussions with the press, the European Commissioner was asked about the problems, weaknesses and risks facing the Republic of Moldova in the accession process. Marta Kos rejected the negative tone of the question and urged that the results set out in the 2026 Enlargement Report be recognised.

“I don’t understand the question: Moldova has made the most progress to date, and you’re asking me about problems, weaknesses and risks. I don’t understand. That’s my view. Because you’ve achieved so much, you should look at what the Enlargement Report says. It states that you are one of the candidate countries that has made the most progress, that you will soon open all the clusters, that the Commission will approve the Interim Report on the rule of law, and that you are in a position to close 25 chapters,” said Kos.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

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