News about European integration

Today, international standards call for taxes to be paid in the countries where profits and value added are generated. In this sense, the Tax Code will be brought into line with global trends. The changes pertain to direct taxes and have been submitted by the Ministry of Finance for public consultation.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined two main negative scenarios for Ukraine and Moldova: the threat of direct military aggression in the event of a Ukrainian defeat, as well as a significant slowdown or change in the format of their European integration.

Reducing bureaucracy, promoting integrity, and strengthening cooperation between the private sector and government agencies were discussed today at a meeting at the Agency for Agricultural Interventions and Payments (AIPA). The event was organized as part of the “STIC – Building Trust Between IMM and the Public Sector in the Republic of Moldova” project. The project is supported by the Swiss government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi presented Moldova’s security priorities to the European Parliament and stated that the recently approved €120 million in EU assistance would be an important contribution to the development of the country’s defense capabilities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv today, July 15. This time, the talks are focused not only on Ukraine’s European integration but also on joint arms production, which Brussels views as one of the key elements of its support for Kyiv.

The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published new recommendations on granting residence permits to foreign victims of human trafficking.

Vasile Tofan, the prime minister-designate of the Republic of Moldova, announced the conclusion of consultations with the interim ministers on the preparation of a governance program and the formation of the future executive branch, whose composition is expected to be announced on Friday.

On July 14, the eighth phase of a free training program for aspiring entrepreneurs from several districts in central Moldova—Ungheni, Nisporeni, Călărași, and Fălești—began in Ungheni. Over the course of three days, participants will gain practical knowledge on running a business, as well as on the application of tax and customs laws.

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, negotiations between the European Union and representatives of Moldova and Ukraine officially began in Brussels on the sixth cluster, titled “External Relations” and comprises two negotiation chapters—Chapter 30 (“External Relations”) and Chapter 31 (“Foreign Policy, Security, and Defense”).

On Monday, Moldovan President Maia Sandu arrived in Paris to join some 30 leaders of the so-called Coalition of the Willing. The leaders of the defense alliance, which Moldova and North Macedonia have joined, gathered to participate in France’s national holiday—Bastille Day. 

The mission of the international experts is focused on analyzing the current operation of the General Inspectorate of Migration (IGM)’s refugee reception system to identify its strengths, existing challenges, and the measures needed to improve it.

The interim results of the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for 2025–2028 were presented in Chisinau. Currently, 21 projects with a total budget of approximately 43.6 million euros are being implemented under the program, aimed at supporting reforms in the areas of justice, democracy, and the protection of human rights.

At the next stage, strategic communication should move beyond explaining reforms and contribute to building internal partnerships, which are essential for a successful European transition.

It is proposed that a separate section be added to the Labor Code to regulate the rules for entering into and terminating so-called “zero-hour” employment contracts.

The delegation of the Republic of Moldova to the third intergovernmental conference “Republic of Moldova–European Union” is headed not by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, who has not yet been appointed, but by Eugen Osmochescu, who is currently serving as acting prime minister. A government website reports that negotiations on the sixth cluster, “External Relations,” will officially begin on July 14.

Following the decision by the 27 EU member states to open a new negotiating cluster on “External Relations,” President Maia Sandu held a meeting with the ambassadors of the European Union member states and the Group of Seven (G7) countries, accredited to Moldova.

The anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy has sparked a new round of political tensions between Poland and Ukraine. Poland’s main opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), has introduced a resolution in the Sejm opposing Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, while the country’s president, Karol Nawrocki, has announced his intention to legislatively ban the symbols of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) within the republic.

The number of Ukrainian citizens benefiting from temporary protection in European Union countries continues to rise. As of the end of May, their number reached 4.38 million, an increase of 7,800 compared to April, according to data from the EU’s statistical office (Eurostat).

The Moldovan government continues to expand support measures for young people and young families, hoping to mitigate the effects of the demographic decline and labor shortage. Key measures include subsidies for first-time employment, the expansion of the network of public daycare centers, increased childbirth benefits, and youth employment programs.

The modernization of agricultural statistics in Moldova is aimed at bringing them into line with European Union standards for monitoring the agricultural sector. With support from the EU and the FAO, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is working to ensure high-quality and internationally comparable data.