On 10 July 2026, the EU Council adopted its common position for accession negotiations with Moldova on Cluster 6 (External Relations), covering Chapters 30 and 31. The position, based on the acquis in force as of 8 July 2026, requires Moldova to fully align its external relations and foreign, security and defence policy with EU law and to meet specific benchmarks before the cluster can be provisionally closed.
Under Chapter 30 (External relations), Moldova must align all international agreements with EU acquis, terminate incompatible bilateral trade and investment treaties, and denounce all free trade agreements by accession. It must apply the EU common customs tariff and trade liberalisation in services from accession day. Moldova is required to enhance administrative capacity for dual-use export controls, join the Wassenaar Arrangement without delay, and seek early accession to the Nuclear Supplier Group and Missile Technology Control Regime. It must align foreign direct investment screening legislation with Regulation (EU) 2019/452 by end of 2025, apply anti-torture rules under Regulation (EU) 2019/125, and step up anti-corruption enforcement.
For Chapter 31 (Foreign, security and defence policy), the Council notes that Moldova reached a 91% alignment rate with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy statements and restrictive measures in 2024 and must reach 100% by accession. It must fully align with all EU sanctions regimes, adopt a national policy document on Small Arms and Light Weapons by 2025, and strengthen institutional capacity for CFSP implementation. Moldova must also align with EU security measures for classified information exchange and counter foreign information manipulation and interference, including through the EU's FIMI Toolbox.
for Chapter 30, Moldova must align its legal framework with Regulations (EU) 2021/821, 2019/452, and 2019/125, and submit an action plan on international agreements. For Chapter 31, it must adopt a national policy document on Small Arms and Light Weapons by 2025 and make concrete progress in implementation.
Stakeholder impact The common position imposes significant compliance costs on Moldova's government, which must overhaul its trade treaties, customs procedures, export controls, and foreign policy alignment. EU member states benefit from a harmonised external border and reduced security risks from dual-use trade diversion. Moldovan businesses face short-term disruption from terminating existing trade agreements but gain long-term access to the EU single market. EU exporters gain a more predictable trade partner with aligned customs and investment rules.
Institutional follow-up The Council's common position will be presented at the next EU-Moldova accession conference, expected in the coming months. The European Commission will monitor Moldova's progress on the benchmarks and report back to the Council. The European Parliament will be consulted on the overall accession framework.