Moldova’s accession path: closing accession negotiations by early 2028 is ambitious but achievable goal

Moldova has progressed on its accession path with accelerated speed, and significantly deepened its cooperation with the EU despite the continuous hybrid threats and attempts to destabilise the country and its EU course, the European Commission said today with the adoption of its annual Enlargement Package.

The package says the firm commitment of Moldova to its EU accession has also been reconfirmed through the 28 September 2025 parliamentary elections, which resulted in a majority firmly committed to advancing the country’s EU path. The first EU-Moldova Summit on 4 July 2025 opened a new level of cooperation and integration. In parallel, tangible steps have been taken to gradually integrate Moldova in key parts of the single market, including in the ‘Roam like at home’ area on 1 January 2026.

Moldova has successfully completed the screening process and adopted roadmaps on the rule of law, public administration, and the functioning of democratic institutions, which the Commission assessed positively. 

The Commission’s assessment is that Moldova has met the conditions required to open clusters one (fundamentals), six (external relations), and two (internal market). The Commission expects Moldova to also meet the conditions to open the remaining three clusters and works to ensure that the Council is in a position to take forward the opening of all clusters before the end of the year. 

The Commission says the government of Moldova has signalled its objective to provisionally close accession negotiations by early 2028. 

“The Commission is committed to supporting this objective, which is ambitious but achievable, provided Moldova accelerates the current pace of reforms,” the package says. “Sustaining reform momentum is crucial, reinforced by strong parliamentary support for the country’s European path following elections in September.” 

Find out more

Moldova report 2025

The EU and Moldova Factsheet

Press release

2025 Enlargement Package

2025 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy

EU accession process step by step

EU NeighboursEast Enlargement page in English, Romanian and Russian