European Commissioner for Enlargement announces additional 30 million euros in support for Moldova to alleviate energy costs

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has delivered a speech during a plenary meeting of the parliament, reaffirming the European Union’s support for Moldova’s accession and praising the country’s progress in the European integration process. At the same time, the European official announced additional support of 30 million euros, in order to help alleviate energy costs.

“The European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Report on Moldova confirmed the remarkable progress you have made for the fourth consecutive year. You are not only moving toward Europe, but also taking major steps toward joining the European Union. Your efforts are seen and appreciated across the continent. Europeans see a country standing up to foreign interference and hybrid attacks. They see a nation that has made a clear choice in favor of Europe,” Marta Kos said from the central podium of the parliament.

The European official’s visit takes place several days after the publication of the European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Report, which notes progress by Moldova across all negotiating chapters, with 25 of them reaching a higher level of readiness for accession. The Commission also proposed a roadmap, under which Moldova could conclude accession negotiations in the first half of 2028, provided it maintains the accelerated pace of reforms.

In her address, the European Commissioner emphasized that Moldova’s next important goal was to meet the interim benchmarks concerning the fundamentals, known as IBARs. Judicial independence, the fight against corruption and the strengthening of democratic institutions stay decisive criteria in assessing the country’s readiness to join the EU.

Marta Kos announced that the positive assessment regarding Moldova’s fulfillment of the interim benchmarks is expected to be finalized soon. In the coming period, the European Commission and the member states will begin discussions on setting the conditions for concluding the negotiations, which would open the way for the Moldova to move to the stage of closing the negotiating chapters. “If Moldova continues to implement reforms at the same pace as in previous years, we believe you could close up to 25 of the 35 negotiating chapters next year. This could place the country on a credible path toward concluding accession negotiations at the beginning of 2028. This is a very ambitious objective. You can count on our support at every stage of this process,” the European Commissioner said.

Referring to the financial support provided by the EU, Marta Kos said that the European Union had proposed additional support of 30 million euros for Moldova, aimed at reducing the impact of high energy costs on vulnerable people. In addition, a new financial support package will be prepared in 2027 and implemented starting from 2028, ensuring the continuity of investments provided for under the 1.9 billion-euros-worth Growth Plan, which is being implemented until the end of 2027. European funds will be directed toward infrastructure development, the modernization of schools and improved access to drinking water, depending on the progress made by Moldova in implementing reforms.

For his part, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu highlighted that the most important message conveyed by the European Commission was the confirmation that Moldova’s goal of joining the EU is achievable. “We have set out to conclude the accession negotiations at the beginning of 2028, and the Commission is telling us that this timetable, although ambitious, is achievable, if we maintain the current pace of reforms. Our confidence is backed by results and a European assessment confirming that we can succeed. We will continue at the same pace, so that we are ready to join by the deadline we have set,” Igor Grosu said.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is on an official visit to Chisinau on November 8-10. During the visit, the European official, together with President Maia Sandu, attended the inauguration of the Vulcanesti–Chisinau electricity transmission line, a strategically important project for Moldova, that contributes to strengthening the country’s energy security. At the parliament, Marta Kos met Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and members of the commission for European integration.

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