Commissioner Marta Kos confirms Moldova ready for EU cluster talks
The European Union is prepared to launch official accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova on the first cluster of chapters, with talks expected to begin in mid-June. European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, confirmed the timeline during an interview with Radio Moldova.
Kos described the EU's decision to invite Chisinau to the negotiating table as a highly significant milestone with profound technical, political, and symbolic implications. The move validates the structural reform progress achieved by the Moldovan authorities.
The European Commission maintains that Moldova remains prepared to open all six thematic negotiating clusters by July, provided the current implementation pace is sustained.
"We expect that, in the middle of June, these negotiations on the first chapter will begin. Even if it was not always simple, even if there were ups, downs, and zigzags, you still managed to achieve what you proposed," stated Marta Kos.
Regarding tangible benefits for citizens, the Commissioner highlighted Moldova's integration into the European roaming network, its accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), and advancements in energy security. Kos also noted forthcoming EU investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
"Moving forward, many investments are set to arrive, and numerous changes will take place, such as road repairs. The hospital in Balti is to be rehabilitated. The energy efficiency of several schools across the country will be ensured," Kos added during an international investment conference in Chisinau.
The Cypriot presidency of the Council of the European Union initiated formal preparations on June 3 to officially open the first cluster for both Moldova and Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, published the official notification letter sent to Chisinau regarding the commencement of these procedural steps.
Following an assessment of the opening benchmarks for the initial group—titled Fundamental Values—the European Union concluded that Moldova has demonstrated sufficient readiness to begin formal cluster negotiations.
"For us, this moment signifies the continuation of the work started at home: implementing reforms, aligning with European standards, and preparing for the official opening of all negotiating clusters," Gherasimov stated on her official social media page.
The EU accession framework is structured into 33 individual chapters, consolidated into six thematic clusters. The first cluster—encompassing the rule of law, democratic institutions, and economic functionality—is institutionally designated to open first and close last in the accession process.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
