Moldova targets opening remaining EU negotiation clusters

Moldova aims to open the remaining four clusters of European Union accession negotiations within the next six months and make significant progress toward meeting the benchmarks required for the preliminary closure of several negotiating chapters, Deputy Prime Minister-designate for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov said.

Speaking in Parliament during debates on the government program presented by Prime Minister-designate Vasile Tofan, Gherasimov said Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union provides a favorable opportunity to advance Moldova's EU accession process, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

"In the context of the Irish presidency, we believe we have a very good opportunity to move the negotiations forward. Our priorities for the next six months are, first, to open the remaining four negotiation clusters, with the support of our partners in Dublin. Second, we aim to make substantial progress in meeting the interim benchmarks that will allow us to move toward the preliminary closure of certain negotiation chapters," she said.

Gherasimov added that another key objective is to secure a new positive assessment from the European Commission.

"Our country demonstrated significant progress last year, and we intend to receive another strong evaluation from the European Commission this year. All state institutions are working at full capacity to achieve this. These priorities will allow us to be ready by the end of the year for the preliminary closure of some negotiation chapters. This does not mean they will be formally closed, but that we will have advanced sufficiently to take that step," she said.

During the debate, Parliament Deputy Speaker Doina Gherman praised the government program presented by Tofan, highlighting its strong focus on European integration.

"We appreciate the effort invested in preparing this government program. It is a solid plan with a strategic vision and an ambitious agenda focused on concrete priorities. European Union accession is mentioned 59 times, and I welcome that. We are already at an advanced stage, with two negotiation clusters opened and four more expected to follow. At the same time, less than half a year remains under Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union," Gherman said.

Prime Minister-designate Vasile Tofan assured lawmakers that all ministries and government agencies responsible for the accession process would receive the necessary support to accelerate Moldova's European integration.

"I want to assure you that the ministries and agencies will have all the support they need. It is crucial that we remain disciplined in the coming weeks and months. We will make full use of Ireland's presidency, which has shown strong openness and support for our European path. My role will be to ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to achieve these objectives," Tofan said.

Parliament is expected to vote later on whether to approve the government program and the composition of the new Cabinet proposed by Prime Minister-designate Vasile Tofan.

Photo: X