EU Enlargement Conference // European Commissioner: 2027 to be crucial year for delivering results

The Republic of Moldova has made a considerable leap and achieved significant progress on its path toward European integration, despite unprecedented external pressure, while the European Union will continue to stand by our country and provide support for advancing reforms. The negotiations on the remaining two clusters could be opened later this year, and 2027 will be a crucial year for delivering results. The statements were made by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos at the opening of the annual Conference on the Enlargement of the European Union, which began today in Chișinău.

Marta Kos emphasized that the EU Report confirms the progress achieved by the Republic of Moldova over the past year.


“The Republic of Moldova has managed to make a considerable leap; it has truly taken a leap toward membership of the European Union. The 2026 report confirms this. You have accelerated reforms, including difficult reforms such as the vetting of judges, and you have managed to do this despite unprecedented external pressure. This is the result of your determination and political will, as well as the joint efforts of the Government, Parliament and civil society,” Marta Kos said.


So far, the Republic of Moldova has opened negotiations on four of the six clusters, and negotiations on the remaining two clusters are expected to be opened by late 2026.


“The year 2026 is not over yet, and we will have even more positive news. We are waiting for the Council to give the green light to open the two remaining clusters, while the European Commission is currently finalizing its positive assessment of the benchmarks and criteria for advancing the reforms. Democratic institutions and the strengthening of the reform path have been mentioned. This remains an important aspect, as we want to move forward toward closing the negotiation chapters and advance even further in this process. This makes 2027 a crucial year for delivering results and helping you move forward,” the European Commissioner said.


According to the official, the objective of completing the accession negotiations by 2028 is achievable if our country maintains the pace of reforms.


“Closing the negotiation chapters will place Moldova exactly where Montenegro is today, as it approaches the end of the negotiation process. Montenegro’s accession treaty is already being prepared, which means that once you deliver these results, you will be in exactly the same position. If the reform process continues at the same pace, this will put you on a very credible path toward closing the negotiations by 2028,” Marta Kos said.


The European Commissioner noted that the Republic of Moldova enjoys the support of the EU member states in the accession process.


“The member states support the country’s accession process. The Member States have become convinced that you are moving forward on this path, and in such a case they will, of course, support you, because without the support of the Member States we cannot continue to advance. At the same time, we will continue working to achieve progress in the daily lives of citizens. We will continue to strengthen your economy and improve living standards for all Moldovans. You can continue to count on our full solidarity,” the official said.


At the same time, Marta Kos announced that a new financial support package for the Republic of Moldova would be prepared in 2027, in the context of implementing the €1.9 billion Growth Plan.


“The year 2027 will also be the year in which we prepare the next support package for you, which will be reinforced through the Growth Plan amounting to €1.9 million. This means that new instruments and new amounts of money will be delivered. European investments are being transformed into better infrastructure, clean water and better access for entrepreneurs to the European market, helping you create jobs that will enable Moldovans to build their future at home,” Marta Kos emphasized.


The European Commissioner also added that the Republic of Moldova’s place is in the great European family.


“We truly want to see you achieve every success and take your rightful place within the European family, because we know that in order to protect the market, peace, security and freedom, we all need to work together. For this reason, 2027 will become a decisive year in this regard. I have no doubt that the Republic of Moldova will continue these leaps and this progress, so that you can achieve all the ambitious goals set out in our roadmap,” Marta Kos concluded.


The annual Conference on the Enlargement of the European Union began today in Chișinău, with the event inaugurated by President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The meeting brings together representatives of national authorities, European institutions, EU member states, civil society and media. According to the organizers, more than 700 participants have registered for the event, while 70 speakers will contribute to the discussions taking place over the two days.