Moldova is one of the three Eastern Partnership countries implementing an Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the European Union. An EU macrofinancial assistance program has recently been approved for the country through the end of 2018.
All payments are strictly conditional on the respect by Moldovan authorities of democratic mechanisms, including a multiparty political system, rule of law, and human rights—and more specifically on progress towards improving governance; ensuring free, independent, and pluralistic media; and strengthening the independence of the judiciary. The first disbursement of assistance is still under review by the European Commission and the European External Action Service.
In the run-up to the next EU–Moldova Association Council in April, this expert discussion will provide an assessment of Moldova’s implementation of the Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, outlining recent developments, challenges, and outstanding issues in the areas of rule of law, functioning of democratic institutions, and economic and financial sustainability.
Speakers
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Iskra Kirova
Moderator
Until March 2023, Iskra Kirova was a senior policy analyst for the Open Society Europe and Eurasia Program.
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Alexei Buzu
Speaker
Alexei Buzu is cochair of the EU–Moldova Civil Society Platform and executive director of the “Partnership for Development” Center.
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Petru Macovei
Speaker
Petru Macovei is national facilitator at the National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and executive director of the Association for Independent Press.
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Iuliana Catarangiu
Speaker
Iuliana Catarangiu is executive director of the National Environmental Center.
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Iulian Groza
Speaker
Iulian Groza is executive director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms.
