Moldova bolsters EU prep with Romanian expertise
Former Romanian EU Integration Minister Anca Boagiu has joined the Moldovan Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIDR) to bolster the country's preparation for upcoming EU accession negotiations.
This move highlights Moldova's strategic focus on building expertise while acknowledging a shortage of qualified staff domestically.
"We are mobilising all resources and preparing the team to be ready for negotiations," declared Moldovan Infrastructure Minister Andrei Spînu in an interview with Vocea Basarabiei. "Romania and the European Union are also actively supporting us," he added.
Spînu confirmed the ministry's plans to attract additional consultants from Romania, citing a need to address the expertise gap within Moldova. This strategy comes alongside ongoing collaboration with an EU-funded consultant already assisting the team.
Boagiu, a 55-year-old politician with extensive experience in both transport and EU integration, will focus on guiding the MIDR in navigating three key chapters of the accession process: transport, trans-European networks, and regional development.
Moldova received the green light to launch EU accession negotiations in December 2023. Currently, the nation is undergoing an evaluation of its national legislation for compatibility with the European legal framework. Once this stage is complete, full-fledged negotiations across 35 chapters will commence.
Spînu emphasised the critical role of this preparation phase, stating, "Together with Anca, we are making a plan for preparation and are also looking for other people from Romania who can come and help us."
Boagiu's appointment signals Moldova's proactive approach to tackling the challenges of EU accession. By leveraging Romanian expertise and building internal capacity, the country aims to navigate the complex negotiation process effectively.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
