Moldovan president thanks European Commission for recognizing progress in EU accession

ISTANBUL

Moldovan President Maia Sandu on Tuesday thanked the European Commission for recognizing her country’s progress in its accession talks with the EU, as the 27-member bloc released a report on the progress of its enlargement partners.

Earlier, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos described 2025 as a “good year for our work with candidate countries” during a presentation at the European Parliament, noting “significant” advances on the EU path achieved so far by Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine during this period.

Kos also said on US social media company X that Moldova made the “biggest progress on its accession path,” adding that it significantly deepened its cooperation with the EU “despite the continuous hybrid threats and attempts to destabilise the country and its EU course.”

“Thank you for recognising our progress, @EU_Commission. Moldova has shown that even in the hardest times, Moldova delivers — and that the European Union can count on us,” said Sandu on X, reacting to Kos’ statement.

The Moldovan president’s remarks come as she embarked on a working visit to Brussels, where she noted having a “productive meeting” with European Council President Antonio Costa.

Sandu is scheduled to meet with Kos, as well as with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and other high-ranking European officials, and attend a conference as part of the visit, according to a Monday statement by the Moldovan presidency.

The visit comes after Moldova’s new government, led by new Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, was sworn into office on Friday after Sandu’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity secured its majority in the country’s legislature following a parliamentary vote late September.

The period leading up to the parliamentary election was marked by allegations of Russian interference, particularly by Sandu, who claimed in July that Russia is “investing in multiple political vehicles” to gain influence in parliament.

Moscow denied allegations and accused Moldovan authorities of “dividing citizens” by limiting polling stations in Russia while expanding them across European countries.