News about EU

There is growing dissatisfaction in Brussels with Ursula von der Leyen’s behavior. Several EU countries accuse the European Commission president of acting outside her mandate in foreign policy matters, especially since the beginning of the conflict over Iran. Sharp criticism has been voiced in the European Parliament, in diplomatic circles and now in the capitals of the Union’s member states.

The government is preparing to launch a new electronic system for public procurement management to replace the current MTender platform and cover the entire cycle of procurement procedures, including contract execution and monitoring.

Participation in this platform provides the country with access to an international network of partners to develop cutting-edge programs to adapt agriculture to climate change, including through ecological production methods.

Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri paid a visit to Brussels on 12 March and met there with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The official report of the Reintegration Bureau says that the sides discussed the current situation in the settlement process, the Moldovan authorities’ efforts to solve the problems, etc. In other words, there was a routine exchange of opinions. And there were no sensations.

The Government of Moldova initiated the activation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism for a rapid response to oil spills in the Dniester River. Additionally, the involvement of the Ministry of Defense was requested with military personnel, vehicles and pieces of equipment.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has decided to block a law on the country’s participation in the EU’s SAFE program, under which Poland claims about 44 billion euros in rearmament loans.

As part of the European integration process, the Ministry of Justice has planned for 2026 the implementation (transposition) of 97 European acts into the national legislation. The declared goal is “for Moldovan citizens to enjoy the same rights, opportunities and protection mechanisms as citizens of EU countries”.

The Republic of Moldova initiated the procedure for withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT).

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed the largest ever release of strategic oil reserves – 400 million barrels – to curb the rise in oil prices caused by the war with Iran. The decision to release the reserves was made unanimously by the IEA’s 32 member countries on March 11.

The release of strategic oil reserves by the G7 countries and the US has not yet led to a drop in fuel prices. Despite large-scale interventions, the cost of Brent oil continues to hold at around $100 per barrel.

Over the past three years, 177.7 million tons of cargo have already been transported through the Ukrainian sea corridor, of which 106.4 million tons is grain. Exports are carried out to 55 countries of the world.

“We have a strong mandate from our citizens both for European integration and for deepening cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance,” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popşoi said at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The Parliament of Kazakhstan ratified an agreement that will allow the country to supply clean energy directly to the European Union. The technical highlight of the project will be the unique laying of a deep-water current cable under the Caspian Sea.

Over the past year, Poland has detained five criminal bosses from the post-Soviet space: four citizens of Georgia and one citizen of Belarus. In such cases, there are problems with deportation: their countries of citizenship are not in a hurry to accept them.

UPDATED. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a draft decree on the denunciation of the agreement on the creation of the CIS and its protocol, as well as a draft decree on the denunciation of the CIS charter. According to the government’s estimates, the economic consequences of the withdrawal from the CIS bodies will be minimal – the country will remain a party to a number of agreements in the trade, economic and social spheres.

Moldova will be assessed by the MONEYVAL Committee of Experts on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism in 2027-2028. The experts are also scheduled to visit the country in 2028. This was announced by the director of the Service for Prevention and Combating Money Laundering, Andrian Munteanu.

The initiative to introduce short supply chains, designed to reduce the number of intermediaries between producer and consumer, has received support from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). However, the Chamber believes that the bill needs to be finalized and should be considered in conjunction with other measures to support domestic producers.

The Hungarian parliament has adopted a resolution against Ukraine’s admission to the EU and financial assistance to continue fighting. The document was supported by 142 MPs, 28 voted against it and 4 abstained.

The European Union is facing new challenges to its food safety system due to agri-food products imported from Mercosur countries. Recently, European Commissioners identified more than 80 tons of beef from Brazil containing growth hormones.

Lithuania will provide Moldova with 6 million euros of military assistance in 2026-2028. This was announced by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda after a meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who is in Lithuania on an official visit.