On 21 May in Brussels, the European Union and the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter "Moldova") held the eighth annual meeting of the Association Council under the EU-Moldova Association Agreement. The Council was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr Josep Borrell. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Mr Dorin Recean, led the Moldovan delegation. The Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Mr Olivér Várhelyi also took part in the meeting. The EU reiterated that the future of Moldova and its people lies within the European Union, and reaffirmed its commitment to assist Moldova in its reform path towards membership. In particular, the EU commended the Moldovan government’s continued commitment to reforms in the areas of rule of law, anti-corruption, democratic institutions, public administration, and the economy, despite challenges stemming from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and hybrid actions against Moldova itself. The Association Council welcomed the historic decision by the European Council of 23 June 2022 to grant candidate status to the Republic of Moldova and of 14 December 2023 to open accession negotiations. Participants looked forward to the swift adoption by the Council of the negotiating framework once Moldova has taken the relevant steps set out in the Commission’s recommendations of 8 November 2023, with a view to organise the first intergovernmental conference without delay. The Association Council took note of the state of play of implementation of the Association Agreement, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The Association Council welcomed the adoption and the swift operationalisation of the National Plan for the Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA). The EU commended Moldova’s sustained efforts to pursue a comprehensive justice reform, underlining the importance of an independent, impartial, accountable and professional judicial system in line with European standards and the recommendations of the Venice Commission as an indispensable condition of the EU integration process. In view of the upcoming presidential elections and referendum on Moldova’s EU path, the EU recalled the importance of transparent, inclusive and competitive electoral process, and called on Moldova to continuing dialogue with the Venice Commission and ODIHR in order to ensure that measures to counter malign interference remain in line with international standards. Looking forward, participants emphasised the importance of deepening further sectoral cooperation with Moldova and its integration in the EU internal market. Structural reforms, such as in the energy sector or in modernisation of telecommunication, payment and banking system will bring tangible benefits of European integration to Moldova and its citizens. Moldova recalled the submission of its application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) in February 2024 and expressed its commitment to undertake all the necessary steps for full membership. The Association Council welcomed the signature of a joint declaration by telecommunication operators based in the EU and in Moldova to voluntarily lower data and voice roaming charges, and Moldovan efforts to further align to the EU roaming acquis in an effort to lower roaming charges and bring Moldova into the EU roaming area. The Association Council welcomed Moldova’s submission in January 2024 of its first Economic Reform Programme and its participation in the Economic and Financial Dialogue, the highest level of engagement that the EU has with third countries on economic matters. The Association Council welcomed the EU’s decision to extend the autonomous trade measures and the agreement on the carriage of freight by road, for another year, thereby granting Moldova temporary full trade liberalisation and road freight transport liberalisation. The Association Council welcomed the launch of the EU-Moldova High-Level Dialogue on Transport. The EU welcomed Moldova’s firm and principled stance in condemning Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the significant increase in its alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) positions and restrictive measures. The EU expressed appreciation for Moldova’s efforts in welcoming and hosting people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU also highlighted Moldova’s important contribution to the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes by facilitating the export and import of essential goods. The EU invited Moldova to continue the good cooperation on preventing circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Both the EU and Moldova confirmed their close cooperation on security and defence and welcomed the signature of the EU-Moldova Security and Defence Partnership in the margins of the Association Council, elevating this cooperation to a new strategic level. The EU strongly condemned the repeated violations of Moldova’s airspace by Russian missiles and drones that were used for attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and welcomed Moldova’s decisive steps in responding to hybrid actions led by Russia and its proxies. The EU committed to continue its comprehensive support to Moldova’s resilience, including through the European Peace Facility and the EU Partnership Mission in Moldova, that has proved to be particularly valuable in countering hybrid and cyber threats. The EU reiterated its commitment to facilitating a comprehensive, peaceful and sustainable settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova within its internationally recognised borders. Participants welcomed the association of Moldova to EU programmes of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Single Market Programme, Digital Europe and Union Civil Protection Mechanism since the last Association Council meeting. Today, in the margins of the Association Council, the EU and Moldova signed the association agreement to the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), too. Moldova expressed its interest in strengthening cooperation at the local and regional level and proposed the establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and the local and regional authorities of Moldova that could serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and sharing of best practices Participants discussed the comprehensive EU support to Moldova. Since 2021, the EU has strongly reaffirmed its support and solidarity with Moldova by making available up to €2.2 billion in loans and grants. This significant funding is channelled through multiple financial instruments such as direct budget support, macro-financial assistance, EU programmes, and projects with international financial institutions guaranteed by the EU. A key priority has been the implementation of the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership in Moldova. It has helped translate policy priorities into tangible investment projects with high impact on economy, communities and Moldova’s citizens. The key sectors in which the Economic and Investment Plan has mobilised investments are energy, transport and access to finance for businesses. The Association Council welcomed the ongoing work in Moldova, with the support of the European Commission, on an Economic Growth Plan to help delivering key economic reforms and investments over the coming years. Both Moldova and the EU are dedicated to continuing working together to advance Moldova's EU accession. | 
