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What You Need To Know: The European Union and Moldova will have its second ever summit on June 22 in Brussels as Chisinau finally looks set to start accession talks with the bloc in the days just before the high-level gathering. In the draft summit declaration, seen by RFE/RL, there are no hints of dates, the number of accession chapters to be opened, or the speed of the process.

So far, the text just notes that “We reiterate our commitment to advancing Moldova’s EU accession process swiftly and based on credible reforms and the principle of its own merits.” There is a placeholder in brackets in the draft document acknowledging the opening of “clusters,” a reference to groups of negotiation chapters in the EU accession process.

Deep Background: The 33 negotiating chapters are divided into six clusters, and Brussels is currently awash with rumors about how many clusters and when they will be opened for Moldova and Ukraine as they are coupled in the enlargement process and so far, have taken all relevant steps together.

The 33 negotiating chapters are divided into six clusters. Brussels is currently buzzing with rumors about how many clusters -- and when -- will be opened for Moldova and Ukraine.

The two countries have been closely coupled throughout the enlargement process and have taken all key steps together so far.

The enlargement buzz is in large due to the recent change of government in Hungary, which many EU diplomats hope will kick-start a number of EU initiatives as Budapest had imposed numerous vetoes. The previous Hungarian government had for two years blocked Ukraine from officially starting EU accession talks due to what Budapest said was discrimination of the Hungarian-speaking population in Ukraine; as Chisinau didn’t seek to decouple itself from Kyiv, it was, by extension, not moving either. While Hungary still has bilateral issues to iron out with Kyiv, something that is expected in various bilateral meetings in early June, it is believed that Ukraine and Moldova will open at least one of the six clusters on June 16 -- just a week before the EU-Moldova summit. And several EU officials that RFE/RL has spoken to say that they hope that the other five clusters can be opened for both countries as early as July.

Drilling Down:
The other key takeaway from the summit declaration is that Brussels will continue to ramp up lethal military aid to Chisinau -- something it started providing last year via its off-budget credit line called the European Peace Facility (EPF).

The EU’s decision is not without controversy, as Moldova continues to uphold military neutrality under its constitution.

The draft paper notes that “we will continue to work towards the further integration of Moldova into the European security and defense architecture and its participation in relevant initiatives and cooperation mechanisms. We appreciate the continued and reinforced cooperation under the European Peace Facility, meant to respond to the most urgent operational needs.”

A new concept note, seen by RFE/RL, states that Brussels is planning to provide an extra 120 million euros ($140 million) to Chisinau over the next 60 months to complement already delivered equipment “into a coherent air surveillance and defense system interoperable with EU and NATO states.” The funds are also intended to cover training and budget to ensure adequate maintenance of the equipment.

The main EU funding for Moldova in the coming years will still come, however, from the so-called 1.8 billion euros “Moldova Growth Plan” presented in 2024. The concept note says that some 504 million euros has been released so far and that “an additional 528 million euros in financial support from the facility will be unlocked if Moldova continues at a steady pace and achieves all the reform steps due in 2026.”

The key reforms, as always with prospective EU member states, are aimed at ensuring an independent judiciary, fighting corruption and organized crime, and protecting the rights of people belonging to various minorities.

While not outlining all the reforms, the text of the draft declaration interestingly mentions both judicial vetting and the need to root out corruption even at the highest level, describing those goals as “essential elements of Moldova’s democratic transformation and its EU path.”