The relations between Moldova and the European Union were marked by a number of very significant events for the Moldovans in the period of independence, with the liberalization of the visa regime and the signing of the Association Agreement being the most noticeable of these. IPN selected the most important events and phenomena that influenced the relationship with this development partner of Moldova and included them in an eventual list of the Symbols of Independence.
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The liberalized visa regime with the EU that started to be used on April 28, 2014 is considered the biggest victory in the history of the EU – Moldova relationship . Thus, only the Moldovans with biometric passports can travel in the EU. The discussions between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union on visa-free travel in the European area were initiated in 2010. One year later, Moldova received the visa liberalization action plan from the EU.
The right to travel freely in the EU became a reality after Moldova fulfilled all the conditions related to the security of documents, including the issuing of biometric passports, fighting of illegal migration and institution of control over the migration flows through the Transnistrian segment of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. This way Moldova became the first Eastern Partnership country that benefits from a visa-free regime with the EU.
The Association Agreement between Moldova and the European Union was signed on June 27, 2014 and took effect on a temporary basis on September 1, 2014 and definitively on July 1, 2016. The agreement aims to contribute to more profound rapprochement between the two states at political and economic levels. The document also includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that facilitates the diminution of barriers to the bilateral trade, contributing thus to economic growth.
Following the numerous restrictions imposed by Russia after 2005, the Moldovan companies reoriented themselves to the EU market. Currently, Moldova’s exports to the EU make up 63%. About 1,400 companies successfully export goods to the EU based on over 2,100 tariff positions. Some of the export quotas are not fully used. Exports to the EU from regions have increased, including from the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia and the Transnistrian region, which, based on the agreement signed by the constitutional authorities, sell to the EU more than a half of the products intended for export.
The benefits of the Association Agreement include the harmonization of the national legislation with the Community acquis, appearance of modern technical regulations and borrowing of over 14,400 European/international standards, annulment of about 11,600 conflicting and outdated Moldovan standards. Based on the agreement, the EU offers Moldova significant financing and logistic support for doing reforms in practically all the spheres of life.
