Our country is opening negotiations with the European Union on Cluster 1 – Fundamental Values. The Intergovernmental Conference Republic of Moldova – European Union, the event that marked the opening of the negotiations, took place today in Luxembourg, with the participation of the delegation led by Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

He noted that the opening of negotiations makes the EU accession process tangible for citizens and sends an important signal: the Republic of Moldova honors its commitments and delivers results, while the European Union recognizes and rewards this progress.

“EU accession remains the absolute priority of the Republic of Moldova – a strategic objective enshrined in the Constitution and supported by citizens. In this process, the opening of negotiations on the Fundamental Values Cluster has a special significance, because the entire accession process is based on democracy, the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, an efficient public administration and sound public finances. These are the values that the Republic of Moldova shares with European states and the reforms that people expect from state institutions,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister stressed that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova already feel the concrete benefits of the European path, including through connection to the Single Euro Payments Area – SEPA, EU roaming at domestic rates, and closer integration with the European market, institutions and policies. Recently, more than 1 billion euros in sustainable investments were mobilized at the Investment Conference, of which almost one-third comes from the private sector.

He also highlighted the progress made in strengthening democracy, increasing the resilience of institutions, combating disinformation, monitoring the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns, as well as advancing justice reform: “We have not yielded to pressure and we have not deviated from our democratic path. On the contrary, we have strengthened our democracy, launched the local public administration reform, reinforced institutions and continued to work consistently despite all challenges. We have shown that the Republic of Moldova is a reliable partner, a solidary neighbor of Ukraine and a future member state determined to bring added value to the European Union.”

Referring to the next steps, the Prime Minister said that the Republic of Moldova will continue to promote reforms with determination, responsibility and good faith, and the authorities will work towards opening the other clusters as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister reiterated that the objective of the Republic of Moldova remains clear: our country must be ready to assume the obligations of an EU member state by 2030.

“We return home with a clear understanding of the work that awaits us and with an even stronger determination to deliver results. The motivation for our reforms comes, first and foremost, from the citizens – from their desire to live in a country with functioning institutions, justice and more opportunities at home. That is why we persevere and that is why the Republic of Moldova will continue to advance towards the great European family,” declared Munteanu.

The Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg is the second meeting of this kind, after the one on 25 June 2024, which marked the official launch of Chișinău’s accession negotiations with the EU. The decision to open accession negotiations on Cluster 1 Fundamental Values will be welcomed at the EU summit in Brussels on 18–19 June.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu has held a meeting in Luxembourg with PM of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Luc Frieden. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the second Intergovernmental Conference Moldova – European Union, which will mark the opening of accession negotiations on Cluster 1 – “Fundamental Values”.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu expressed his appreciation for Luxembourg’s constant support for Moldova’s European path, including in the context of the launch of accession negotiations in Luxembourg in June 2024.

The two officials discussed ways to strengthen the Moldovan–Luxembourgish political dialogue, as well as bilateral cooperation in the economic field. The Moldovan PM underlined Moldova’s interest in attracting new investments and making use of cooperation opportunities in such sectors as information technology, renewable energy, logistics and modern agriculture.

The officials also addressed the regional security situation, the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the challenges generated by hybrid threats. In this regard, they highlighted the importance of strengthening democratic resilience and continuing the reforms undertaken by Moldova in the EU accession process.

In the context, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden reaffirmed his firm support for the European path of Moldova and for the reforms undertaken by country’s authorities. The two officials reconfirmed their shared interest in maintaining the positive dynamics of Moldovan–Luxembourgish relations and in developing bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Alexandru Munteanu is leading the Moldovan delegation on a working visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where today the second Moldova – European Union Intergovernmental Conference will take place. The event will mark the opening of accession negotiations on Cluster 1 – Fundamental Values, which forms the basis of the entire preparation process for our country’s European integration.

The Intergovernmental Conference will bring together representatives of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the Government of the Republic of Moldova. During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov will present the Republic of Moldova’s negotiating position, and at the end of the Intergovernmental Conference Prime Minister Munteanu will hold a joint press conference with representatives of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission.

The visit’s agenda also includes a meeting between Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu and Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Luc Frieden, as well as discussions with Karl Nehammer, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, during which opportunities to support strategic development projects in the Republic of Moldova will be examined.

The opening of negotiations on the first cluster of chapters confirms that our country’s European path is advancing to a new stage and reaffirms the commitment of Chișinău authorities to strengthening the rule of law, justice reform, good governance, and alignment with European standards. The first Intergovernmental Conference on the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union took place in Luxembourg on 25 June 2024, marking the opening of accession negotiations.