Republik Moldau

Moldova is hosting its first EU summit in Chisinau on Friday, marking a key moment in the country’s push to join the European Union. Russian disinformation, energy security and trade ties are expected to top the agenda. 

In a historic first, the European Union will hold a summit with Moldova in Chisinau on July 4, a move signaling deeper political ties. A draft of the summit declaration, seen by RFE/RL, says such meetings will become a regular feature of EU-Moldova relations.

The Council adopted a decision extending the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM) for a further two years, until 31 May 2027, with a budget allocation of over €19.8million for the period. The Council also decided to adjust EUPM Moldova’s mandate to increase the provision of strategic advice to the Moldovan authorities in the security sector. The decision was taken in the wake of the Strategic Review of the mission.

The Council decided to prolong EU restrictive measures against those responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, until 29 April 2026. These restrictive measures currently apply to a total of 16 individuals and 2 entities.
 

Moldova's parliament voted on Thursday to hold parliamentary elections in September, a poll that is expected to be closely fought and could significantly reduce the number of seats held by President Maia Sandu's pro-Western PAS party.

On his visit to Moldova this week, the Special Representative of the Finnish OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Thomas Lenk, acknowledged the constructive interaction between the Sides during the energy crisis and encouraged them to build on the momentum.

Moldova's prime minister said on Wednesday that Russian agents spent around 200 million euros ($217 million) - nearly 1% of the small pro-European country's GDP - on efforts to buy votes at its presidential election and EU referendum last year.

The Council [of the EU] today gave its final green light to setting up the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova, a new instrument to support EU-related reforms and economic growth in the country. The envelope of €1.9 billion provided by the Facility is the largest EU financial support package since Moldova’s independence and comes on top of the EU’s other substantial support to the country. 

The announcement was made by European Council President António Costa during a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, emphasizing that the funding aims to “ensure peace.” Costa explained that the funding will come through the European Peace Facility and noted that Moldova has already received 37 million euros ($38.85 million) under the initiative.

The pro-Russian separatist region of Moldova, Transnistria, rejected Monday a new European gas offer despite experiencing a severe energy crisis since Gazprom deliveries stopped. The region has elected instead for an alternative solution financed by Russia that will see gas transported from Hungary.