Moldova does not object to EU accession even without full membership rights

If such a model would accelerate the integration process, Moldova is open to discussing accession to the European Union even without full membership rights. This was confirmed to the Euractiv portal by Moldovan Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popoi.

However, he stressed that the country's ultimate goal remains full membership with the same rights as other member states.

The country is seeking to join the EU by 2028, based on the results of a 2024 referendum in which voters supported President Maia Sandu's pro-European course.

There has been a long-standing debate in European institutions about the possibility of two-tier membership, which would allow new countries to join the Union before fulfilling all the conditions, but without certain rights, such as the right of veto.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kosová disagrees with this approach and warns against creating "second-class members."

Moldova's accession process is currently blocked by Hungary, which refuses to continue negotiations with Ukraine, with which Moldova's application is being considered jointly. According to Popoi, Chisinau has met all the requirements and continues to prefer to proceed alongside Kiev.

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