Moldova – annual report 2022

Details
Published: September 4, 2023
Ms Winkelmeier-Becker, Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the German Bundestag during the working visit of a delegation from Moldova to Berlin on 13 December 2022 (Photo: German Bundestag/Thomas Trutschel/photothek).
Ms Winkelmeier-Becker, Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the German Bundestag during the working visit of a delegation from Moldova to Berlin on 13 December 2022 (Photo: German Bundestag/Thomas Trutschel/photothek).

Strategic Framework

Legal Policy Starting Point

The Republic of Moldova has again stepped up its rule-of-law reforms and is aligning itself with the standards of the European Union since the presidential elections in late 2020 and the parliamentary elections in 2021. The country submitted its application for EU membership on 3 March 2022 and was awarded the status of EU accession candidate country by the European Council on 23 June 2022.

Overall Concept

Interrupted for a year, cooperation between IRZ and the Republic of Moldova resumed in the reporting year. The aims were to advance reforms in the rule of law as a means of contributing to EU legal harmonisation and implementation of the nine recommendations issued by the EU Commission. IRZ had already contributed to major reforms in the country in previous years, such as the preparation of an Administrative Code comprising an Administrative Procedure Act and a Code of Administrative Court Procedure, which was adopted in 2018. An initial needs analysis was carried out in the reporting year concerning a resumption of cooperation with the Republic of Moldova. Its purpose was to identify the priorities for future consultations. In addition, IRZ held an initial consultation in Berlin for members of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the Parliament of Moldova on implementation of Chapters 23 and 24 of the acquis communautaire.

Focus of Activity in 2022

  • Talks with the Ministry of Justice and the Committee on Legal Affairs of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova to identify needs
  • Working visit to Berlin on implementation of Chapters 23 (Judiciary, Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom, Security) of the acquis communautaire

Outlook

Following its recent resumption, cooperation with the Republic of Moldova will focus going forward on implementation of the acquis communautaire and EU legal harmonisation in view of the award of EU accession candidate status.

Please find the Annual Report 2022 here: Media centre – Annual reports.