EU and Moldova start negotiations on internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth
On 13 October, the EU and Moldova opened negotiations on the so-called ‘internal market’ and ‘competitiveness and inclusive growth’ clusters.
Clusters are core thematic groupings within the EU’s accession negotiation framework setting the parameters for how candidate countries align with the EU acquis in these fields.
The cluster on ‘internal market’ covers EU policies related to the free movement of goods, services, workers and capital, as well as common rules on competition, financial services, company law and consumer protection.
The cluster on ‘competitiveness and inclusive growth’ covers EU policies related to economic competitiveness and growth, including taxation, economic and monetary policy, industry, digital transformation, employment, education, research and customs.
“Today, we have taken another step forward on Moldova’s EU accession path. Less than three months after the opening of negotiations on external relations policies, the decision taken today reflects the importance that the Irish Presidency places on EU enlargement,” said Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European affairs and defence of Ireland representing the Irish Presidency at the Council of the EU. “We will spare no effort until the end of our term in working to open the remaining clusters.”
The EU has also set benchmarks for the future provisional closure of those chapters.
EU accession is a merit-based process, reminds the Council of the EU in a press release. Monitoring of progress in the alignment with and implementation of the EU acquis and relevant European standards will continue throughout the negotiations.
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4th Accession Conference with the Republic of Moldova, 13 October 2026
