Nicosia, Cyprus. European Affairs Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna said the opening of negotiations for Moldova to accede to the European Union belongs above all to the people of Moldova. She said their European aspirations, resilience in difficult times, and belief in a democratic and prosperous future had driven the process.
Message on Moldova’s negotiations
Raouna said the opening of cluster one of the six thematic clusters of accession negotiations also sends a clear message that dedication, perseverance, and genuine commitment to European values are recognised and rewarded.
She said that when partners deliver, the EU delivers as well, and offered her congratulations to the government and people of the Republic of Moldova.
Talks opened for Moldova and Ukraine
Accession negotiations for both Moldova and Ukraine were opened on Monday. Raouna said Cyprus, in its role as the current holder of the EU Council’s presidency, had worked in a results-driven manner, with perseverance, diligently and intensively, to bring about the start of negotiations.
She said the opening of the first cluster guides Ukraine and Moldova from political aspiration to concrete commitment and implementation of the process that will bring them closer to the united European family.
Structure of the negotiation process
Negotiations are divided into six thematic clusters: fundamentals, internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth, green agenda and sustainable connectivity, resources, agriculture, and cohesion, and external relations.
The first cluster comprises the chapters on judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom, and security, public procurement, statistics, financial control, economic criteria, functioning of democratic institutions, and public administration reform.
Under EU law, the first cluster is opened first and closed last. In total, there are 33 chapters across the seven clusters, with current candidate member states at various stages of progress in negotiations.
