IDM Short Insights 57: Moldova’s European Future: Insights from Chișinău

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As part of the Citizens for EU Enlargement (CitizEn) project, IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer and Research Associate Sophia Beiter are in Chișinău, Moldova, at a pivotal moment in the country’sEU accession process. Just days after the opening of Cluster 1 – Fundamentals, they share their reflections on Moldova’s progress towards EU membership, the reforms driving the process forward, and why it is important that citizens can already feel the benefits of European integration in their daily lives. Listen or read Sebastian and Sophia’s key takeaways from Chișinău.

Transcript:
„2 days ago, on the 15th of June, Moldova officially started negotiations with the European Union. The Cluster One fundamentals was opened and after years of preparation, now there is the way open to a European future for kitchen up.  

But what does Cluster One actually cover? Fundamental rights, rule of law, judiciary independence and anti corruption reforms. Cluster one is the most important cluster. It opens 1st and is closed last. And the progress in this cluster determines the pace of the entire negotiations. What has been impressive is the speed that Moldova has shown on its way towards the European Union. They have finished the screening by the end of 2025 and are aiming to push through 70 acts of legislation until the end of 2026, which would enable them to close 8 to 9 chapters. 

The goal is to be fully ready for the end of the negotiations by 2028. But EU accession is not only about the treaties. Moldova already uses the Roam like at home since January 2026 and SEPA integration is completed. It is important that citizens feel the steps forward on the path towards European integration in their daily lives. And the perspective of citizens and the importance of citizen engagement is also the reason why we are here in Moldova. 

For the next few days, within our project Citizens for EU Enlargement, together with our partners from across Europe, we will discuss how to communicate the topic of EU enlargement better with citizens, especially citizens from EU enlargement skeptic EU countries.“