The government has approved the National Action Plan for Moldova's accession to the European Union for 2024-2027 and hopes to join the EU by 2030.
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Nicu Popescu said that the document approved by the Cabinet was elaborated in cooperation with numerous institutions and in the course of active consultations with the civil society. He said that the approved strategic document on the harmonization of the national legislation with the European one is structured in 33 chapters and contains 7 sections, which include measures to implement the envisaged actions, responsible institutions, conditions of implementation and sources of financing, as well as the coverage of the planned expenses. "Our national goal is to prepare Moldova for EU accession until 2030. From now on, the Plan represents our basis for the EU accession process. Thanks to this, we are committed to adapt and integrate the European legislation into our national legislation," Nicu Popescu said. According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) will ensure the overall coordination of the plan's implementation, including after each EU enlargement report. However, ministries and other state authorities will have to submit reports on the implementation of measures included in the plan to the heads of sectoral working groups, in accordance with the chapters of competence. The deadlines for submitting the reports have also been set: by January 15, March 15, May 15 and August 15. The chairmen of sectoral working groups, in turn, will submit reports on the implementation of measures included in the Plan to MFAEI by January 25, March 25, May 25 and August 25, according to the chapters of competence. MFAEI will have to submit to the Government by February 28 an annual report on the evaluation of the implementation of the National Accession Plan for the previous year. The National Plan will be updated annually by incorporating the recommendations and reference criteria established in the annual progress reports published by the European Commission on the EU enlargement package, as well as depending on other developments in Moldova's official relations with the EU. The National Action Plan for Moldova's accession to the European Union for 2024-2027 is now more than 240 pages long. It is structured into 6 clusters: fundamental values; internal market; competitiveness and inclusive growth; green agenda and sustainable connectivity; natural resources, agriculture and cohesion; external relations. The total costs of implementing the measures of the National Action Plan for Moldova's accession to the European Union have not been determined yet and will be announced later. They will be covered from the state budget and external sources. It is planned that on November 8, the European Commission will publish a report assessing the degree of Moldova's fulfillment of the nine recommendations made when granting it the status of candidate for EU accession. Later, at a meeting in December, the 27 EU member states will decide on the possible start of negotiations with Moldova on EU accession. Earlier, the European Parliament adopted a resolution recommending to start negotiations on Moldova's accession to the EU by the end of the year. //27.10.2023 - InfoMarket.
