Moldova’s EU path hinges on justice reform pace, says Cristina Gherasimov

Justice reforms are essential for our country’s European path, and the Republic of Moldova must accelerate their implementation to demonstrate that it has a consolidated justice system, said Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova, Cristina Gherasimov, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

“Justice reforms are essential for our European path. Without clear and consolidated progress in justice reform, the functioning of democratic institutions, strengthening anti-corruption bodies, protection of fundamental human rights, and security aspects such as fighting organized crime and drug trafficking, we cannot advance,” Gherasimov said in an interview with TVR Moldova.

She stressed that Moldova must demonstrate not only that it adopts laws, but also that they function in practice.

“Their implementation in practice is something that will be assessed by the European Commission as we progress in the negotiation process,” she explained.

Gherasimov added that the level of reform implementation directly influences the disbursement of financial resources from the European Union.

“Depending on the rate of reform implementation, we receive disbursements, such as those in September and more recently in March—€189 million. These are tranches from the €1.9 billion Growth Plan,” she said.

She emphasized that maintaining 93% implementation of the reform agenda ensures continued financial support for concrete projects benefiting citizens.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Moldova is progressing at a remarkable pace, having received a mandate to begin technical negotiations on all 33 accession chapters despite unprecedented pressure from Russia.

Moldova applied for EU membership on March 3, 2022, received candidate status on June 23, 2022, and officially opened accession negotiations on June 25, 2024. The country completed the bilateral screening process in September 2025 and began technical discussions on the first negotiation chapters in December 2025.

Authorities in Chișinău say this stage marks a crucial phase in the accession process, forming the basis for future progress toward EU integration.