News about European integration

The problems of harmonization of the national tax system with the EU standards and, in particular, the EU VAT Directive were the subject of a training seminar held from 13 to 15 May at the Ministry of Finance.

Drivers of cars with foreign license plates will no longer be able to ignore traffic rules on Moldovan roads. The Parliament adopted a new legislative initiative that introduces a clear mechanism for cross-border data exchange.

Romania’s economy contracted by 1.7% in unadjusted terms in the first three months of the year compared to the same quarter of 2025 and by 0.2% compared to the previous quarter, according to data released on Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

Moldova will host the 135th ministerial session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. About 50 delegations of member states, including more than 20 foreign ministers, are expected to participate. The official event will take place on May 15, but delegations will start arriving as early as Thursday, May 14. In this regard, from May 14 to 17, 2026, a special regime of access and movement will be introduced in a number of central zones of the capital, as well as on the routes leading to the airport.

At a meeting on May 13, the Moldovan cabinet approved the appointment of Ambassador Corina Călugăru to the post of state secretary at the Foreign Ministry. Prior to this appointment, she served as ambassador for special missions within the Foreign Ministry.

On the sidelines of a working visit to Bucharest, Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu was received at the Elizabeta Palace by Her Majesty Margareta. He thanked the Royal House of Romania for its constant support for Moldova and for its active participation in the development of economic, cultural and European ties between the two countries.

Moldova is in the process of active implementation and adaptation of the European System of Integrated Social Protection Statistics (ESSPROS – European System of Integrated Social Protection Statistics). This process is part of the EU accession commitments, aimed at modernizing the social sector and implementing European standards. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has launched a pilot study.

The director of the National Anti-Corruption Center will be able to serve two terms of five years each, but not consecutively. The relevant draft law was considered on Wednesday, May 13, by the parliamentary commission for national security, defense and public order.

Moldova’s chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe ends this week. The “farewell” ceremony will take place in a solemn atmosphere in the presence of numerous delegations, after which Moldova’s mandate will pass to the Principality of Monaco.

The National Bank is stepping up efforts to transition to “environmentally friendly” credit instruments, which should give borrowers significant advantages and enter the country’s “green transition” system in accordance with European requirements. The Central Bank is already holding training seminars with professional participants in the banking system to assess such business initiatives and create appropriate financial conditions for green loans.

The standards governing noise from outdoor equipment will be harmonized with those in Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is causing growing discontent among some EU countries and officials in Brussels. Critics believe that excessive centralization of decisions is beginning to affect the effectiveness of governance and the EU’s ability to respond quickly to economic and geopolitical challenges.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will conduct a pilot study of income and living conditions in accordance with the EU statistical legislation in the period from May 13 to June 2, 2026. The main objective is to obtain statistical data on living conditions of the population taking into account social aspects: income, housing conditions, health status, education, employment, provision of housing with various amenities and durable goods, etc.

Prescriptions for medicines issued in the European Union countries can be used on the territory of Moldova. Such a provision is contained in the draft law on amending a number of normative acts in the health sector, registered in the Parliament.

European Affairs Ministers from the 27 Member States and candidate countries discussed the importance of EU enlargement in a complex geopolitical context and the role of rule of law reforms in strengthening European security, sustainability and unity.

The Ministry of Education and Research has amended the Regulation on Admission to Vocational Education and Training Institutions for the 2026-2027 academic year. One of the key changes is the expansion of the categories of applicants who can apply for budgetary places.

If Moldova joins the European Union, it will not be included in the Schengen zone because free movement is impossible without control over Transnistria. This is stated in an analytical article by European affairs and international relations expert Martin de La Garanderie, published by the Friedrich Numann Foundation.

The EU may start direct membership talks with Ukraine by the end of June. This was announced by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos today, 11 May. Commissioner Kos urged member states to officially open all negotiating clusters on Ukraine’s membership as soon as possible.

Russia expects clarifications from Armenia in connection with the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to that country, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

President Maia Sandu held talks with a mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a new cooperation program under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI). The meeting took place on Sunday, May 10, during the visit of the IMF mission to Chisinau between May 7 and 20.