High-ranking European Union officials arrived in Moldova for a landmark bilateral summit to strengthen ties and reaffirm the bloc's commitment to the EU candidate country, just months before crucial parliamentary elections, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recan spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa in the capital, Chisinau.
The talks focused on EU membership, trade, investment and security.
Sandu thanked EU leaders for their participation in the summit, the first-ever bilateral meeting, which she welcomed as "a cornerstone in our relations, which we intend to turn into a regular platform".
Last year, Brussels agreed to start EU membership negotiations with Moldova, after granting it official candidate status in June 2022, the same day as neighboring Ukraine. Also last year, Moldovans narrowly backed the irreversibility of the country's EU accession in a referendum.
"For the first time, we are seen as a natural part of the European family," Sandu said after the talks, adding that this "shows that our country's EU accession is already underway – it is no longer a distant dream or a vague promise".
Costa and von der Leyen said after the meetings that Moldova had made progress in its bid to join the 27-nation bloc and was ready to deepen accession talks.
Moldova's EU membership depends on a process of reforms in policy areas, known as chapters and clusters, in areas such as the rule of law, fundamental rights and economic reforms - a process that is likely to take years. Brussels is providing Moldova with 1.9 billion euros in aid for the period 2025-2027, of which 270 million euros von der Leyen announced had been disbursed today. They will be directed at projects such as a new regional hospital, restoring the district heating system in Chisinau and helping to reduce electricity and gas bills.
Von der Leyen said Moldovans took a "decisive step" last year by voting to enshrine the country's EU accession ambition in the constitution.
"Nine months ago we agreed on Moldova's growth plan, and eight months ago the people of Moldova wrote their European future into their constitution," she said. "What a testament to Moldova's unwavering commitment and ours. Moldova has consistently shown that it is making progress in its accession process."
With parliamentary elections on September 28 approaching, Brussels is keen to reaffirm its commitment to Moldova's accession to the bloc. Allegations continue to circulate that Russia is waging a hybrid war against the former Soviet republic, interfering in elections and spreading disinformation, the AP recalls.
"We are committed to protecting you from hybrid attacks as well," Von der Leyen said. "Who is behind these attacks is clear to all of us here - these are the same representatives of the autocracy who are trying to undermine our democracies everywhere in Europe."
"Joining the EU is not just a goal," said Daniel Voda, a spokesman for the Moldovan government. "It is a profound change for the benefit of the people. Moldova is on the right track."