Moldova has made a significant step towards joining the European Union, as the EU's 27 member states agreed to commence formal accession talks with the country. This decision was reached on June 25, 2024, during a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) Council, marking a pivotal moment in Moldova's journey towards EU integration.
The decision was officially confirmed by Belgium, which at the time held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. During the meeting, the Council adopted the EU’s general positions and negotiating frameworks for accession discussions, not only with Moldova but also with Ukraine.
Moldova's path towards EU membership began in March 2022, when the country formally applied to join the bloc. Just a few months later, on June 22, 2022, Moldova was granted candidate status by the European Union. With this latest development, Moldova is now on track to meet its target date for EU accession by 2030, provided it successfully aligns its laws and standards with those of the EU.
In addition to Moldova and Ukraine, the EU's December 2023 decisions also included approving the start of accession negotiations with four Balkan nations: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The EU also indicated that, contingent on further reforms, Bosnia and Herzegovina may soon enter into accession talks, while Georgia could be granted candidate status.
This collective move underscores the EU's broader commitment to expanding its membership to include more countries from Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, as they continue to align with the EU's legal and regulatory frameworks.