EU's Relations with Moldova

09 February 2010
by Ina Dimireva -- last modified 09 February 2010

The EU-Moldova Partnership and Cooperation Agreement entered into force in July 1998 and sets a framework for trade liberalisation, legislative harmonisation, cooperation in a range of sectors and political dialogue.

EU-Moldova relations: basic facts

The joint ENP Action Plan was adopted in February 2005 by the EU-Moldova Cooperation Council. The Action Plan is an opportune tool for supporting Moldova's own programme of democratic and economic reform and is now at the centre of the government's domestic reform programme.

The EC assistance focuses on the reform priorities agreed in the ENP Action Plan and increased from € 20 million in 2003/2004 to € 42 million in 2005/2006. For 2007 an amount of €40m is planned.

How does the EU support reforms in Moldova?

The objectives of the ENP Action Plan are to strengthen the institutions guaranteeing democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights, as well as promoting economic reform and improving living conditions. It supports efforts to achieve a lasting resolution of the Transnistria problem. Other priorities for relations with Moldova include strengthening of institutions, reforming the judiciary, improving the business climate, ensuring respect for freedom of expression and media, and cooperating on issues such as border management, migration and the fight against trafficking, organised crime, corruption and money laundering.

Examples of how the EU is supporting the reform process in Moldova include:

• Helping to build capacity in the Moldovan public administration and supporting the strengthening of public financial management systems in line with EU best practice.
• Helping the poor segments of the Moldovan population to cope with the increases in gas prices, through the provision of budgetary support helping the government to strengthen social compensation schemes.
• Through joint programmes with the Council of Europe to improve the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights in Moldova.
• Trade access to the European market through the generous Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATP) scheme, which means that the EU lifts trade tariffs for all Moldovan products except those clearly specified in the ATP regulation, for which only a quota is tariff-free [in force from 1 March 2008]. The EU is also providing technical support for improvements to health and phyto-sanitary systems which would allow Moldovan food products access to the EU market.
• Signing agreements on visa facilitation and readmission that facilitate visa procedures, whilst at the same time fight illegal migration [in force since 1 January 2008].
• Through an EU Border Assistance Mission which is helping to ensure transparent management of the Moldova-Ukraine border, improving customs services and increasing revenue.

By an increased EU presence, visibly supporting Moldova's efforts to implement the Action Plan. This includes the opening (October 2005) of a full European Commission Delegation in Chisinau, the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Moldova (currently Dr. Kalman Mizsei) and the EU's involvement as an observer in multi-party negotiations on the Transnistria question.

ENPI Country Strategy Paper Moldova 2007-2013

EU Assistance in the Trade Sector: Project: Support to MEPO/MIDA project

Source: European Delegation to Moldova