EXCLUSIVE MOLDPRES // Lithuania to support advancement of Moldova’s EU accession negotiations during 2027 presidency

Lithuania will prioritize the European Union’s enlargement process and work closely with the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to advance accession negotiations during its presidency of the Council of the EU, which it will assume on January 1, 2027. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova’s objective of becoming a member of the European Union by 2030 is technically feasible if reforms are implemented consistently.

The statements were made exclusively to MOLDPRES by Vidmantas Purlys, Director of the European Union Department within Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the Annual Conference on EU Enlargement, held in Chisinau on November 9–10.



The Lithuanian official emphasized that the enlargement of the European Union is one of the fundamental priorities of the future Lithuanian presidency and that the Republic of Moldova is making progress in the negotiation process, moving toward the stage of closing the chapters.


“We hope that progress in this area will be good, but everything depends on fulfilling and implementing the reforms. The European Commission recently published its report, which indicates that the reforms are at an advanced stage, but now is the time to return to implementing the priorities underlying them,” Vidmantas Purlys told MOLDPRES.




The diplomat noted that Lithuania shares the European Commission’s positive assessment of the Republic of Moldova’s progress and during its presidency of the EU Council, it will monitor the progress of negotiations with our country, Ukraine and the other candidate states advancing in the accession process.


“We will focus on the negotiation process and on the progress made by Moldova, Ukraine and, of course, other leading candidate countries that are moving forward. (...) Since I am in the Republic of Moldova today, I want to assure you that we will work very intensively with Moldovan diplomats and our colleagues here, and we hope for good results,” the official said.




Referring to the authorities in Chisinau’s objective of obtaining full membership of the European Union by 2030, Vidmantas Purlys said that it can be achieved. Moreover, the official presented a possible timeline for the technical stages that would precede accession: concluding the negotiations at the beginning of 2028 and preparing and signing the Accession Treaty during 2028–2029.


“It is realistic, it is possible. The European Commission has provided an assessment regarding the conclusion of the accession negotiations at the beginning of 2028. It is an ambitious goal, but if the reforms are implemented consistently, it can be achieved. If the negotiations end in 2028, then the treaty must be prepared, and the document may be signed in 2028–2029,” explained the representative of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.




Vidmantas Purlys pointed out that ratification of the Accession Treaty will constitute a distinct political stage, which will depend on developments in the European Union and the international context.


“From a technical point of view, this objective is achievable and, of course, it must be pursued continuously. Ratification of the treaty is another matter, a subsequent political stage. There is still time until then, and we will see what situation Europe and the entire world will be in,” Vidmantas Purlys said.


The official also welcomed the European Commission’s new approach regarding individual roadmaps for candidate countries, which establish the stages and objectives of the negotiation process. In his view, these will contribute to greater predictability and clarify the responsibilities of both candidate countries and European institutions.


“We support this new approach because we believe that it will make the process predictable and that everyone will understand what needs to be done during specific periods of time, both by the European Union and by the candidate countries,” the Lithuanian official concluded.




Asked by MOLDPRES, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov said that the Republic of Moldova could close accession negotiations on 25 of the 33 chapters during 2027 if it demonstrates commitment and implements the necessary reforms.


“The European Commission has expressed its openness to concluding accession negotiations with our country during 2027. We can already close negotiations on 25 of the 33 chapters next year if we demonstrate commitment and carry out the necessary reforms. This is what this historic moment means for our country. Until now, we spoke about opening negotiations; now we are already talking concretely about closing accession negotiations on specific chapters,” Cristina Gherasimov told MOLDPRES.


President Maia Sandu and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos emphasized at the opening of the Annual Conference on EU Enlargement in Chisinau that 2027 will be a crucial year for the Republic of Moldova, when the authorities will have to demonstrate concrete results in the negotiation process and the implementation of reforms.


“We are not frightened by the fact that we have a great deal of work ahead because we know that now is the time for our country to fulfill the hope that entire generations have carried: to live in peace and freedom alongside the other European peoples,” President Maia Sandu said at the Annual Conference on the Enlargement of the European Union – “Enlargement Package 2026,” held in Chisinau.


Lithuania will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2027.