Moldova aims to complete EU technical talks by 2028, join bloc by 2030
Moldova has "taken major strides towards membership," the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said at the end of the 10th EU-Moldova Association Council meeting in Brussels.
Belgium — Moldova's Prime Minister Vasile Tofan announced at a press conference on October 5 that his nation aims to complete all technical requirements for EU membership by early 2028, with full integration by 2030. The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas praised Moldova's rapid reform pace during the 10th EU-Moldova Association Council meeting in Brussels.
Tofan expressed hope that the remaining four of the six enlargement clusters, or reform to-do lists, can be opened by year-end 2026. However, political concerns over Ukraine have impeded progress for both countries. A dispute with Budapest over Ukraine's Hungarian minority has delayed the opening of two clusters on macroeconomic topics, while fears about Ukraine's agricultural and transport sectors are hindering the remaining two.
Moldova's Prime Minister remains undeterred, stating that his country is not seeking shortcuts but is confident it will have completed all necessary reforms by early 2028. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos signaled that this timeline is plausible, noting Moldova's impressive reform agenda. The EU accession process could potentially occur during Moldova's current four-year parliamentary term, which ended in September 2025.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
