The foreign policy committees of the Moldovan and Romanian parliaments signed a joint declaration on Wednesday in Bucharest, formally expressing their support for launching negotiations on Moldova’s accession to the European Union.
The meeting was opened by Romanian Senator Titus Corlățean, chair of the Foreign Policy Committee, who praised Moldova’s progress in implementing reforms and emphasized that the conditions to begin accession talks have already been met.
“Moldova earned its candidate status through hard work, supported by Romania and its partners,” Corlățean said. He stressed that despite regional instability caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine, Moldova currently ranks first among candidate states in the European Commission’s latest evaluations. “We have strong arguments for beginning accession negotiations by the end of this year,” he added, noting that the joint declaration sends an important signal to EU partners and gives governments fresh momentum.
Doina Gherman, Moldova’s Deputy Parliament Speaker and head of the Foreign Policy Commission, expressed gratitude for Romania’s continuous support. “Every time we come to Bucharest, we feel at home,” she said. Gherman highlighted Moldova’s rapid progress, noting that in just 12 months the country achieved reforms originally planned for 30. She added that Moldova’s European trajectory is anchored in its Constitution and was reaffirmed by citizens in a 2024 referendum.
The delegations also discussed Moldova’s ongoing fulfillment of EU membership commitments, Romania’s role in advancing Moldova’s EU agenda, and the broader support provided by the European Union.
Moldova’s parliamentary delegation includes Foreign Policy Commission members Adrian Băluțel, Ion Groza, Mihail Druță, and Veronica Roșca, who also heads both the Moldova–Romania parliamentary friendship group and the Judicial Commission for Appointments and Immunities.
During their visit to Bucharest, the Moldovan representatives will meet with Romanian Senate President Mircea Abrudean and Presidential Adviser for European Affairs Valentin Naumescu. They will also visit Saint Sophia Church to pay their final respects to Ilie Ilașcu.
