Editing Moldova (section)

==== European Union Accession ====
{{main |Accession of Moldova to the European Union}}
[[File:European Union Moldova Locator.svg|thumb|In June 2022, Moldova became a recognised candidate for membership of the [[European Union]]|left]]

Moldova has set 2030 as the target date for EU Accession.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moldova sets 2030 as EU accession target at massive pro-EU rally in Chisinau |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/moldova-rally-eu-accession-may-2023 |date=22 May 2023 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208090113/https://www.romania-insider.com/moldova-rally-eu-accession-may-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Moldova signed the Association Agreement with the European Union in [[Brussels]] on 27 June 2014. The signing came after the accord was drafted in Vilnius in November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2014/270614_association_agreement_en.htm|title=European Union – EEAS (European External Action Service) – EU forges closer ties with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova|website=Eeas.europa.eu|access-date=27 June 2014|archive-date=6 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706211949/http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2014/270614_association_agreement_en.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-511_en.htm|title=European Commission – PRESS RELEASES – Press release – Remarks by President Barroso at the signing of the Association Agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine|website=Europa.eu|access-date=27 June 2014|archive-date=30 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630041046/http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-511_en.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Moldova signed the membership application to join the EU on 3 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=3 March 2022 |title=With war on its doorstep, Moldova applies for EU membership |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovan-president-says-moldova-applies-eu-membership-2022-03-03/ |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625000916/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovan-president-says-moldova-applies-eu-membership-2022-03-03/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 23 June 2022, Moldova was officially granted [[Potential enlargement of the European Union|candidate status]] by EU leaders.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-leaders-grant-candidate-status-to-ukraine-and-moldova/ |title=EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova |last=Brzozowski |first=Alexandra |date=23 June 2022 |website=euractiv.com |publisher=[[Euractiv]] |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=23 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623214851/https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-leaders-grant-candidate-status-to-ukraine-and-moldova |url-status=live }}</ref> The United Nations Development Programme is also providing assistance to Moldova in implementing the necessary reforms for full accession by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNDP to support the Republic of Moldova to implement key reforms on its EU accession path {{!}} United Nations Development Programme |url=https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/undp-support-republic-moldova-implement-key-reforms-its-eu-accession-path |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=UNDP |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802164623/https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/undp-support-republic-moldova-implement-key-reforms-its-eu-accession-path |url-status=live }}</ref> The European Union's [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]] [[Josep Borrell]] has confirmed that the pathway to accession does not depend upon a resolution of the [[Transnistria conflict]].<ref name="RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty">{{Cite news |date=1 June 2023 |title=Moldova's EU Path Independent Of Transdniester Developments, Says Borrell |language=en |work=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-path-transdniester-borrell/32438431.html |access-date=2 August 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802165031/https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-path-transdniester-borrell/32438431.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 June, Moldova signed a comprehensive free trade agreement with the [[European Free Trade Association]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2023 |title=EFTA and Moldova sign a Free Trade Agreement {{!}} European Free Trade Association |url=https://www.efta.int/Free-Trade/news/EFTA-and-Moldova-sign-Free-Trade-Agreement-536291#:~:text=At%20the%20meeting,%20the%20EFTA,investment%20between%20the%20two%20sides. |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=[[European Free Trade Association]] |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705130004/https://www.efta.int/Free-Trade/news/EFTA-and-Moldova-sign-Free-Trade-Agreement-536291#:~:text=At%20the%20meeting,%20the%20EFTA,investment%20between%20the%20two%20sides. |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 June 2023, the European Union announced a €1.6 billion support and investment programme for Moldova, as well as confirming reductions in the price of mobile data and voice roaming charges in Moldova by European and Moldovan telecoms operators, as well as Moldova joining the EU's joint gas purchase platform.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=The EU presents a Support Package for the Republic of Moldova |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |access-date=1 August 2023 |website=[[European Commission]] |language=en |archive-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621200951/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Formal accession talks began on 13 December 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=EU greenlights accession talks with Ukraine but Orbán vetoes €50-billion aid package |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/12/14/eu-greenlights-accession-talks-with-ukraine-and-moldova |access-date=14 December 2023 |website=[[Euronews]] |date=14 December 2023 |language=en |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214175059/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/12/14/eu-greenlights-accession-talks-with-ukraine-and-moldova |url-status=live }}</ref> A referendum on joining the EU is planned for autumn 2024, there will be no voting stations in Transnistria, however residents there will be free to travel into other areas of Moldova to vote, should they wish to.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moldova will hold referendum on EU membership without Transnistria: Sandu |url=https://www.1lurer.am/en/2023/12/29/Moldova-will-hold-referendum-on-EU-membership-without-Transnistria-Sandhu/1054506 |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104013438/https://www.1lurer.am/en/2023/12/29/Moldova-will-hold-referendum-on-EU-membership-without-Transnistria-Sandhu/1054506 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Moldova's referendum on joining the EU, a narrow 50.17% voted "yes," with Maia Sandu alleging "unprecedented" outside interference. Sandu received 42% in the simultaneous presidential election, while her rival, Alexandr Stoianoglo, garnered 26%, leading to a run-off on 3 November 2024. The referendum was seen as a test of Moldova's commitment to EU integration, amid claims of vote manipulation by criminal groups.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Balmforth |first1=Tom |last2=Tanas |first2=Alexander |title=Moldova's EU referendum in tight finish; Sandu decries vote meddling |date=21 October 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovas-eu-referendum-goes-wire-after-sandu-decries-vote-meddling-2024-10-21/ |website=Reuters |access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref>