EU Enlargement Commissioner tackles environmental reforms in Moldova
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos concluded her official visit to Moldova by discussing the nation’s EU accession path during a working kayak trip on the Nistru River. Alongside Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder, the EU official assessed water pollution issues and the strategic requirements of Chapter 27.
Chapter 27, which governs environment and climate change, represents the most complex and costly segment of the Brussels negotiations. Kos traded her formal attire for a life jacket to inspect the river ecosystem firsthand, combining field diplomacy with bilateral alignment.
The EU official expressed her enthusiasm directly from the location.
"Very good, excellent. I must say that I am truly surprised. First of all, you have a beautiful country, but I could never have imagined that one day I would go kayaking with you. It was truly wonderful, alongside a truly excellent Environment Minister of the Republic of Moldova. We also spoke about the things that need to be done," stated Marta Kos.
Following the river inspection, the European Commissioner emphasized that the European Union will provide the necessary resources to support Chisinau in water protection and sustainable regional development.
Minister Gheorghe Hajder highlighted the importance of the technical discussions held during the eco-tour.
"We discussed on this occasion about the pollution of the Nistru or the biggest pollution that was seen in the Republic of Moldova. Respectively, we had the opportunity to also discuss Chapter 27, which is one of the biggest and most sensitive chapters in the negotiation process with the European Union, and I am sure we will have the necessary support so that we succeed," Hajder underlined.
After the technical segment, the hosts organized an outdoor traditional luncheon where the European official sampled local culinary specialties, including a traditional fish soup.
Kos was also served local herbal tea and received a selection of regional infusion plants as a diplomatic gesture.
"- How did you say, it's ''herbal tea' in Romanian? - Ceai de plante. - This is the best possible gift. I love herbal tea very much. I only drink herbal tea and these are all from Moldova. Thank you!" Kos said.
The Nistru River deployment concluded Marta Kos’s official state visit to Moldova, which took place from June 4 to June 6. During her high-level agenda, the European Commissioner inaugurated the EU-Moldova Investment Conference and the Moldova Digital Summit.
Kos also held high-level institutional meetings with President Maia Sandu, the parliamentary leadership, and opposition leaders. This marks Kos’s fourth official visit to Moldova since assuming her commissionership on December 1, 2024.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
