In the first quarter of 2025, the European Commission intends to submit a proposal for a Council decision in order to make progress in liberalising trade between the EU and Moldova within the framework of the trade agreement connecting them. On 30 October, the institution published a call for evidence, which will be open until 27 November.
According to the European Commission, full trade liberalisation will have positive effects for both parties. Chișinău has benefited from the elimination of tariffs and tariff quotas on all its exports to the EU since 2022; however, this is not a reciprocal arrangement.
Since this measure was introduced, imports from Moldova have not had a negative impact on the European economy, according to the European Commission. Only seven agricultural products were still subject to tariff quotas before autonomous measures were adopted: tomatoes, garlic, table grapes, apples, cherries, plums, and grape juice.
The discussions currently taking place between the EU and Moldova may lead either to further liberalisation while maintaining a few tariff quotas or to full free trade. The second option seems plausible considering the support that the European Commission wishes to lend the Moldovan economy.
As a reminder, Moldova’s EU accession negotiations were opened in June 2024 (see EUROPE 13440/8), and in its enlargement report published on Wednesday, 30 October, the European Commission considered Chișinău to be on track to join the European Union (see EUROPE 13515/3).
See the consultation: https://aeur.eu/f/e3r (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)