European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, in dialogue with social actors in the Republic of Moldova
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos paid her first visit to the Republic of Moldova since her appointment on 1 December 2024. On this occasion, the Office for European Integration of the Government of Moldova, in partnership with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), organized a meeting with members of the working groups and civil society, with representatives of the academic and business associations, mayors, but also with all those directly involved in the implementation of the accession agenda.
The event – Dialogue on EU accession with Marta Kos – provided a good platform for constructive exchanges on key reforms and the EU’s support to our country on its European path.
“Exactly one year ago, on February 7, we had our first meeting in Brussels on explanatory screening. A lot of work followed throughout the year, but we are determined to continue this long road and complex process of preparing the country, the economy and the entire society for accession. If we continue to work together, we will succeed in making this ambitious goal – Moldova’s accession to the EU – a reality. Such historical opportunities are rare,” said Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gerasimov at the opening of the event.
Commissioner Kos highlighted, in her turn, the European Union’s determination to support Moldova in the broad process of transformation and advancement on the road to the EU.
“When my country, Slovenia, became a member of the EU, on May 1, 2004, it was one of the happiest days of my life. We knew we were part of Europe. Hope, opportunities and the vision of a peaceful and prosperous future guided us then, and membership of the European Union was and is extremely important. I know that this sense of belonging is shared by the people of Moldova. Despite all the difficulties, you have enshrined your European future in the constitution, and I want to help you get there,” Marta Kos stressed.
In this context, the Commissioner for Enlargement said that she hopes that our country will open negotiations on as many clusters as possible, during the Polish presidency – in the first part of this year, but also the Danish one – in the second half of 2025: “You can count on me to support your cause in Brussels, but I can only do so if you continue to move forward with the reforms and implement them. It is not an easy process, but if you deliver, I will do everything in my power to support your efforts.”
The participants in the dialogue spoke about the current challenges faced by the Republic of Moldova, including the energy crisis and disinformation, but also about how local authorities, social actors and individual citizens can get involved in promoting European values.
