The Republic of Moldova can join the European Union by 2030, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi, in statements published by MOLDPRES on November 7, 2026. The minister considers the authorities’ goal achievable and cites Cyprus as a precedent for the possibility of accession without first resolving the Transnistrian conflict.
What is the minister basing his assessment on?
Mihai Popșoi described the goal of accession by 2030 as ambitious but achievable in an interview for TVR’s “Pulsul zilei” programme. In the minister’s assessment, the Republic of Moldova is on track with the timetable the authorities have set for preparing for accession.
The minister cites European Commission reports in support of his assessments of reforms and the alignment of national legislation with European standards. He also says that technical assistance from European partners is helping institutions implement the changes needed for accession.
According to Popșoi, the authorities are submitting draft laws for consultation at a pace that sometimes leads them to request faster responses from European institutions. The minister attributes this development to increased institutional capacity and the political will to continue reforms.
How does Popșoi link accession to the Transnistrian issue?
Mihai Popșoi cited the case of Cyprus when discussing the possibility of the Republic of Moldova joining the EU before the Transnistrian conflict is resolved. In his view, making conflict resolution a condition for accession would give the Russian Federation an additional tool to influence the country’s European path.
The minister also supports continuing economic ties between the two banks of the Dniester. He recalled that a law on tax harmonization between the two banks was passed in September.
Popșoi identified the European market as the main destination for exports from the Transnistrian region: more than 70% go to the European Union. For the rest of the Republic of Moldova, the minister cited a share of approximately 65–67%. He interprets these proportions as a sign that businesses in the region are oriented towards the European market.
Sources
- MOLDPRES — Agenția Informațională de Stat — Mihai Popșoi: „Republica Moldova poate adera la Uniunea Europeană până în 2030"
Written with AI assistance from the official sources above and checked by the editors.
What we checked (7 claims and their sources)
Every figure, date and name in the article, with the official source it comes from (in Romanian). The check against sources is automatic, before editor approval.
- MOLDPRES a publicat declarațiile pe 7 noiembrie 2026. — MOLDPRES — Agenția Informațională de Stat
- Mihai Popșoi este viceprim-ministrul, ministrul afacerilor externe. — MOLDPRES — Agenția Informațională de Stat
- Mihai Popșoi consideră posibilă aderarea Republicii Moldova la Uniunea Europeană până în 2030, termen propus de autoritățile de la Chișinău. — MOLDPRES — Agenția Informațională de Stat
- Declarațiile au fost făcute într-un interviu pentru emisiunea „Pulsul zilei” de la TVR. — MOLDPRES — Agenția Informațională de Stat
- Mihai Popșoi a menționat că în septembrie a fost votată o lege privind armonizarea fiscală a celor două maluri ale Nistrului. — MOLDPRES — Agenția Informațională de Stat
- Potrivit lui Mihai Popșoi, peste 70% din exporturile regiunii transnistrene ajung în Uniunea Europeană. — MOLDPRES — Agenția Informațională de Stat
- Potrivit lui Mihai Popșoi, aproximativ 65–67% din exporturile restului Republicii Moldova ajung în Uniunea Europeană. — MOLDPRES — Agenția Informațională de Stat
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