The European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy and the Republic of Moldova’s association programmes
The European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy and the Republic of Moldova’s association programmes

Summary/Abstract: This analysis covers the main areas of the Copenhagen criteria: political, economic and the main economic and political objectives of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The author answers the question: To what extent Moldovan state institutions have benefited from the opportunities offered by the ENP? The idea of a special policy for the EU's new neighbors is exposed in the European Commission’s Communication "Wider Europe - Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern neighbors," published in 2003. Content analysis of this document allows the author to highlight the purpose intended by the European Commission: establishment of an area of prosperity and good neighborliness, where dominates the cooperative and collaborative relationships between states, between states and European institutions. Moldova has enough reasons to participate in the ENP. The author points out the domestic and foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Moldova: accession to the European Union; Transnistrian conflict settlement, participation in the Single Market and other Community policies; institutional strengthening and removing the state from captivity; dynamic stability of the political system. The exploitation of opportunities offered by the ENP is reflected in the following documents: the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Moldova; the European Union - Republic of Moldova Action Plan. In conclusion, the author regretfully mentions the inability of Moldovan institutions to successfully explore the opportunities offered by the ENP, to ensure their functionality. The appearance, formality and superficiality of approaching the acute problems faced by Moldovan society by the current government have essentially changed relations between Moldova and the EU institutions.

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