The Republic of Moldova went through significant transformations in   2019. In June, the government led by Maia Sandu delivered several successes that resulted in citizens regaining hope that corruption could be defeated. The country recuperated the trust of its international partners, renewed the EU’s financial assistance offered to Moldova, and started an in-depth reform of the judiciary as well as the economy. Now, the country faces significant risks of backsliding on several fronts. This would be detrimental to EU-Moldova relations, as well as EU regional interests.

Currently, Moldovan politics remain in flux. There will be presidential elections held at the end of this year, and early parliamentary elections remain a possibility. How can the EU affect its relations with Moldova, in a way that will have a positive impact on the reform process? What are the current state of reforms, anti-corruption efforts, and de-oligarchizing in Moldova? What do the events in Moldova mean for the wider EU strategy in Eastern Europe, including relations with Russia and the Eastern Partnership states?

Welcome Remarks:

• Mikuláš Dzurinda; President, Martens Centre

Panel Discussion:

• Maia Sandu; former Prime Minister of Moldova, Chairwoman of the Action and Solidarity Party
• Siegfried Mureșan; EPP Group Vice President, MEP, Head of EU-Moldova Delegation in the European Parliament
• Nicu Popescu; former Foreign Affairs Minister of Moldova

Moderated by:

• Patrik Voller; Secretary of External Relations, EPP