At the EU-Moldova summit press conference on 22 June 2026, Moldovan President Maia Sandu called for the rapid opening of remaining accession clusters, citing technical readiness, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa stressed that progress must be merit-based and linked to reforms. Costa framed enlargement as a geopolitical investment, and von der Leyen linked reforms to funding, reiterating the EU's commitment to a step-by-step process.
Sandu argued for immediate acceleration, highlighting Moldova's readiness, but von der Leyen and Costa insisted on meeting benchmarks before moving forward. On security, Sandu emphasised Moldova's contributions to European security, countering the narrative of Moldova as a mere recipient. Von der Leyen praised Moldova's energy decoupling from Russia, citing the Vulcănești–Chișinău power line. Gradual integration benefits, such as SEPA and Erasmus+, were acknowledged. On EU-UK relations, Costa praised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's reset, and Sandu welcomed UK re-engagement. No new procedural announcements were made; next steps depend on reform delivery and Council decisions. The divergence over pace reflects a broader tension between candidate countries' eagerness and the EU's insistence on conditionality. For Moldova, faster accession would bring earlier access to EU funds and markets, but risks insufficient reforms. For the EU, a merit-based approach ensures stability but may slow integration.
Stakeholders most impacted include Moldovan citizens (potential earlier benefits), EU member states (concerned about enlargement speed), and Moldovan businesses (seeking market access). The next procedural step is the Council's decision on opening clusters, contingent on reform progress.