Moldova | Brussels, 22 October 2015

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström is in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau on October 22-23, meeting with President Nicolae Timofti, Prime Minister Valeriu Streleț, Minister of Foreign Affairs Natalia Gherman, Minister of Economy Stephane Bride, and others.

The visit of Commissioner Malmström marks the first anniversary of the EU-Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) which is applied since September of last year. Discussions in Chisinau will focus on how the Free Trade Area has been put into practice since then, and its potential for the future.

In wake of the difficulties Moldova has been facing, the stable trading framework that the free trade area provides has prevented a decline in trade between the EU and Moldova since last autumn. Today, the EU buys almost two thirds of the goods that Moldova sells to the rest of the world, and Moldovan exports to the EU are now on the rise.

‘The way to get even more out of our relationship is by making sure that the free trade area is fully put in place,’ said Commissioner Malmström. ‘Moldova has already made good progress, but the reform process needs to switch to a higher gear. The EU will continue supporting Moldova on this path.’

While in Chisinau, Commissioner Malmström is also speaking at an event with representatives from civil society and the business community on the subject of "Making the most of the DCFTA". 

On her way to Chisinau, Commissioner Malmström also wrote on her blog about the trade relationship between the EU and Moldova, and her expectations for the visit.”  

Further information EU trade relations with Moldova Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment on the EU-Moldova DCFTA