Screening sessions have begun in Brussels to assess Moldova's readiness for EU accession in the areas of agriculture and rural development, food safety, fisheries, and aquaculture
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of Moldova announced this, noting that the screening sessions are being held jointly with the European Commission. Screening by chapters coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture began with Chapter 13, “Fisheries.” As emphasized by the agricultural department, this chapter is of strategic importance for Moldova's firm commitment to sustainable water management, strengthening food security and stimulating economic development in rural communities that are directly dependent on the fisheries and aquaculture sector, as well as regulating the common market and combating illegal fishing. As part of the process of harmonizing national legislation with European legislation, about 20 EU legislative acts need to be reviewed and transposed. However, the immediate priorities are the completion of the National Aquaculture Program and the establishment of an effective control system to prevent the import of fish products obtained from illegal and unregulated fishing activities. Ina Butucel, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, who coordinates the ministerial group responsible for dialogue with the European Commission, stressed that the start of the screening sessions marks the transition of the agricultural department to an advanced stage of dialogue with European institutions as part of the European integration process. These sessions precede the formulation of the positions of Moldova and the European Commission on the prospects for accession in the areas of agriculture and rural development, food safety, fisheries, and aquaculture. In this context, the screening sessions are an important moment for the preparation of accession negotiations, conducted in consultation with the relevant associations, to determine a consolidated national position, including on the negotiations on the conditions of accession and transition periods on sensitive issues in the agri-industrial sector. // 02.06.2025 – InfoMarket.
