Moldova, EU enhance transport dialogue for better connectivity

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea and Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission (DG MOVE), held a joint press conference in Chisinau today. The event marked the second edition of the high-level dialogue between Moldova and the European Union in the transport sector, aimed at strengthening cooperation and discussing future plans for the transport field.

The two officials unveiled the results of bilateral discussions, focusing on a wide range of topics from road, rail and air transport to challenges faced by Moldovan carriers and opportunities provided by the European integration. The dialogue underscored the firm commitment of the parties to improve connectivity and transport links between Moldova and the European Union, for the benefit of citizens in Moldova and the EU.

Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea emphasized the strategic importance of this dialogue for Moldova.

“The second edition of the high-level dialogue between the European Union and the Ministry of Infrastructure on the transport segment took place today. We discussed the issues we face and the development plans for road, rail, air and cargo transport. Our goal is to integrate Moldova into European economic circuits, and this dialogue is crucial for achieving this goal. Integration into the European Union is a national priority and the transport sector plays an essential role in this process,” Vladimir Bolea said.

For her part, Magda Kopczyńska reiterated the European Union's support for  Moldova in its efforts to modernize and integrate into the European transport system.

“This is the second dialogue we have, a process launched last year. The objective is to discuss how we can improve connectivity and transport links between Moldova and the European Union. We reviewed the regulatory dimension and the legislation Moldova is adapting to the EU system, as part of its accession path,” said the Director-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission.

Magda Kopczyńska also referred to the extension of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) to Moldova, noting that there are already five projects under implementation with European funding, meant to facilitate transport connectivity in Moldova.

At the conference, officials also addressed the challenges faced by Moldovan carriers, especially in the context of restrictions imposed by Russia.

Vladimir Bolea noted that discussion procedures had been initiated, in order to identify solutions and clear negotiation perspectives. He highlighted that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development represented and supported the interests of Moldovan carriers.

Both officials stressed the importance of reforms in the transport sector, in to ensure successful integration into the European area.

“Reforms are extremely important. Knowledge and experience are the most valuable assets. When we acquire knowledge by implementing reforms and creating an appropriate legal framework, the second component, money, follows organically. In the first phase, we put big emphasis on reforms, approach and attitude. If reforms are carried out and approach is changed in the initial phase, implementation becomes much easier and processes are understood by everyone,” explained Minister Bolea.

Magda Kopczyńska added that “the growth plan is not only about investments, but also about the reform agenda Moldova is working on and which is expected to be completed swiftly.”

“The reform combines investments in all sectors with legislative reform. We understand it will take time to amend all the legislative acts necessary for Moldova to be aligned with the EU's communal acquis, but progress is going quite well, and these reforms will cover all transport sectors. This is the correct way to accelerate Moldova's accession to the EU,” estimated the Director-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission (DG MOVE), Magda Kopczyńska.

The second high-level meeting of the Moldova-EU Transport Dialogue took place in Chisinau today. The event was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea and Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission. The discussion’s agenda included topics related to extending connectivity, aligning Moldova's transport network with EU’s one, developing multimodal infrastructure and implementing digital technologies in the sector.

The high-level Moldova-EU dialogue in the transport field is a discussion platform aimed at strengthening cooperation, coordinating policies, promoting joint projects, and facilitating the country's integration into the European transport area.