Laurențiu Pleșca, Bogdan Cozma, Vladimir Mitev, Cross-border Talks, 20 January 2026

Summary

The article, “Moldova’s quiet transformation. Institutional reforms and European ties through Romania and Bulgaria,” analyzes the Republic of Moldova’s deep and non-spectacular Europeanization process, emphasizing the strategic roles of its two EU neighbors.Key Points of the Transformation

• Institutional Reforms: Moldova’s European trajectory is being realized through technical and administrative reforms, with its EU candidate status (June 2022) acting as a mechanism for systemic discipline, notably in justice reform. Dense technical cooperation, including EU missions (EUBAM, EUFOR) and twinning programs, forms an “invisible infrastructure” anchoring Moldova to the European administrative ecosystem.
• Economic Integration: The EU has become Moldova’s primary trading partner, absorbing over 65% of its exports (up from 46% in 2013), demonstrating significant economic integration through the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
• Cultural Reconnection with Romania: The cultural rapprochement with Romania has accelerated Europeanization. Key milestones include:
  • The simplification of the procedure for Moldovans to regain Romanian citizenship, resulting in over 850,000 citizens (about one-third of the total population) gaining access to the EU.
  • A significant number of Moldovan students (11,600 in 2025) studying at Romanian universities.
  • The Constitutional Court’s 2013 ruling that Romanian is the state language.
  • A shift in media consumption toward Romanian and Western content, accelerated by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, leading to a drop in trust in Russian media.
• Bulgarian-Moldovan Relations: Relations are undergoing a “new renaissance” based on a shared EU future, reinforced by Bulgaria’s admission to the eurozone (Jan 2026) and its full entry into the Schengen area (Jan 2025) alongside Romania. Bulgaria leverages its ties with the Bulgarian and Gagauz minorities in southern Moldova, despite these communities often voting against the pro-European government. A key symbol of cooperation is the opening of a branch of the University of Ruse in Taraclia. Bulgaria is positioned as an “advocate” for Moldova in Brussels.

Conclusion: Although Moldova’s European path remains fragile due to systemic corruption and internal political divisions, the profound institutional, economic, and cultural anchoring, driven primarily by the functional links with Romania (main vector) and Bulgaria (complementary support), is making political reversal increasingly unlikely.

I. Institutional reforms in Moldova.

The European trajectory of the Republic of Moldova is no longer a mere political aspiration, but a process of institutional transformation that redefines the foundations of the state. Beyond symbolic moments and geopolitical rhetoric, Moldova’s Europeanization is taking place through technical reforms, administrative adjustments, and cooperation networks which, although often invisible to the general public, are generating lasting structural effects.

In recent years, Chisinau’s pro-European path has moved from declarations of intent to concrete action, from general political commitments to reforms that irreversibly change the country’s administrative, legal, and economic architecture. All this is thanks to the population’s vote of confidence in a government that looks toward Europe. This quiet transformation is the backbone of Moldova’s anchoring in the European space and provides the framework in which ties with Romania and Bulgaria take on strategic relevance.

In the current geopolitical context, the Republic of Moldova has gained particular strategic importance for the European Union. Not only because of its location on the eastern border of the European Union and in the immediate vicinity of Ukraine, which is at war, but also because of its symbolism as a former Soviet state undergoing a prolonged transition to functional democratic institutions, economic stability, and European integration. Moldova is special to the European Union because of its combination of strategic position, small size, which makes it an easier candidate to manage, and symbolic importance in a context of acute geopolitical competition with Russia. Moldova’s success could set a precedent for other Eastern Neighborhood countries and strengthen the European Union’s role as a bastion of democratic values.

Candidate status as a mechanism for institutional discipline

Obtaining European Union candidate status in June 2022 was a turning point not because of its symbolic value, but because of its institutional consequences. Candidate status functions as a contract for systemic transformation, placing the state under continuous monitoring, in which each chapter of negotiations becomes an exercise in recalibrating statehood.

The reforms in the justice system best illustrate this logic. The process of external evaluation of judges and prosecutors, although contested and often politicized in internal debate, is perceived in Brussels as a non-negotiable condition. The independence of the judiciary is not a chapter of negotiation, but a criterion for accession. In this sense, Moldova has gradually internalized the idea that European integration is not a final destination, but a set of standards that must be implemented and maintained.

Codru Vrabie: Judicial reform in the Republic of Moldova has yet to yield results

Technical cooperation as the invisible infrastructure of Europeanization

Beyond the visible reforms, Moldova’s European path is being consolidated through dense technical cooperation, often ignored by public debate. European experts act not only as simple consultants, but as direct participants in the processes of legislating and implementing public policies.

This internal Europeanization operates on several levels, through the European Union missions present in Chisinau, through institutional twinning programs that connect Moldovan ministries and agencies with their European counterparts, but also through funding directed towards civil society. This cooperation operates on several levels. Firstly, through the EU missions present in Chișinău, namely EUBAM (the border assistance mission) and EUFOR (the advisory and assistance mission). Secondly, through institutional twinning programmes, which link Moldovan ministries and agencies with their European counterparts. A central role is played by the European Union Civilian Mission in the Republic of Moldova, which supports the consolidation of the rule of law, combats hybrid threats, and increases institutional resilience. Through direct expertise and operational assistance, this mission contributes to securing the reform process in a volatile geopolitical environment.

The result is the formation of an institutional network that anchors Moldova in the European administrative ecosystem and makes political reversibility increasingly costly.

Economic pragmatism and European market integration

The economic dimension is one of the most tangible expressions of Europeanization for Moldovan citizens. The Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area have fundamentally restructured Moldova’s foreign trade. The European Union now absorbs over 65 percent of Moldovan exports, compared to about 46 percent in 2013.

This reorientation reflects Moldovan producers’ adaptation to European standards of quality, food safety, and technical compliance. The agricultural sector in particular has become deeply integrated into European value chains, generating economic interdependencies that consolidate the European path beyond electoral cycles.

Paula Erizanu: Europeanization in the Republic of Moldova can be felt on several levels

Energy vulnerability and the logic of European solidarity

The energy crisis triggered by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine tested both Moldova’s resilience and the credibility of the European commitment to candidate countries. The European Union’s response, through financial assistance, diversification of energy sources, and connection to European electricity grids via Romania and Ukraine, has demonstrated pragmatic solidarity guided by strategic considerations.

For Brussels, Moldova’s stability is no longer just a neighborhood issue, but one of regional security. In this context, Moldova’s geographical vulnerability becomes a strategic asset that accelerates functional integration and cooperation with neighboring member states.

Romania plays an essential role in this equation, acting as the main vector connecting Moldova to the European space. From energy interconnections and direct financial support to the mobility offered by Romanian citizenship and access to the European labor market, Romania makes European integration tangible for Moldovan citizens.

Bulgaria offers a complementary example of European support through its relationship with the Bulgarian minority in southern Moldova. Although underutilised, this link is an important platform for educational, cultural and institutional cooperation, contributing to Europeanisation at the local level and strengthening Moldova’s ties with the European Union.

Structural limitations and internal challenges

However, Moldova’s European path remains fragile. Systemic corruption, institutional fragility, and the persistence of oligarchic networks continue to undermine the implementation of reforms. European Commission reports reflect this ambivalence, acknowledging real but uneven progress.

At the societal level, Europeanization is not a consensual project. Geopolitical divisions cut across communities and regions, and the constitutional referendum on European integration showed that a significant part of the population remains skeptical or hostile to this path. This polarization increases the importance of external, institutional, economic, and social anchoring mechanisms.

Moldova’s European transformation is not spectacular, but it is profound. It is taking place through institutional reforms, economic integration, technical cooperation, and functional links with European Union member states. By supporting Moldova, the European Union is not only extending its geographical borders, but also reaffirming its mission to promote peace, security, and prosperity in Europe.

Moldova, in turn, has the chance to become a respected member of the European community, transforming itself from a fragile state into a possible success story of European integration. Europe is not a final destination, but a model of governance that must be internalized. And Moldova has already entered a process that makes turning back increasingly unlikely.

II. The cultural reconnection between Romania and the Republic of Moldova as a factor of Europeanization

The cultural reconnection between Romania and the Republic of Moldova is not just a matter of nostalgia or identity. Over the last three decades, cultural ties with Romania have contributed to the gradual rapprochement of Moldovan society with the European space.

Romanian cultural influence in the Republic of Moldova suffered greatly during the Soviet period, when the population underwent a brutal process of Russification. For almost five decades, the Latin alphabet was replaced by the Cyrillic alphabet, and the language spoken by the majority of the population was renamed “Moldovan.” After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the situation began to improve. This evolution can be understood through the lens of three distinct periods, each marked by a transformative event.

First period: tentative rapprochement after the fall of the USSR (1991-2009)

Although independence in 1991 theoretically opened the door to the Romanian cultural space, political and socio-economic realities, as well as institutional inertia on both sides of the Prut River, made this reconnection difficult.

Television was the first and most accessible channel of connection. PRO TV Chișinău, launched in December 1998, became the main private station in the Republic of Moldova and represented for many Moldovans the first constant window into contemporary Romanian culture. Unlike the Russian channels that dominated the media space, PRO TV brought not only local news, but also series, entertainment shows, and formats that connected the Moldovan audience with what was happening across the Prut River. Subsequently, other Romanian channels became accessible through cable networks, gradually expanding the media offering in Romanian. For the younger generation, cartoon channels such as Fox Kids (now Disney Channel), Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Minimax had a significant impact. These were Romanian channels that also broadcast in Moldova. Thus, children of the 1990s and early 2000s grew up with cartoons in Romanian, forming the first post-Soviet generation linguistically connected to the Romanian cultural space from childhood.

In contrast, the opposite phenomenon occurred in the music industry. Moldovan pop culture was exported to Romania through singers such as O-Zone, Pavel Stratan, and Zdob și Zdub, who became very popular. For Moldovan artists, Romania often became the natural first step towards international exposure.

However, during this period, cultural ties were limited by administrative barriers. Moldovans needed a visa to travel to Romania, and access to education and the labor market in the European space was restricted. Cultural exchanges were clearly above the level of the communist period, but direct contact remained difficult for most of the population.

The second period: opening the gates after 2010

A very important moment was the decision by Romanian President Traian Băsescu to simplify the procedure for Moldovans to regain Romanian citizenship. Romanian citizenship, which automatically confers European citizenship, opened the gates to the West for many Moldovans. According to the latest data, over 850,000 Moldovans have regained Romanian citizenship, which is about one-third of the total population of the Republic of Moldova. Many of these Moldovans who regained Romanian citizenship initially left to work in Western countries, but gradually many began to work in Romania as well.

Also, many young Moldovans have chosen to study at Romanian universities, some of them choosing to settle in cities such as Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, or Timișoara after completing their studies. A special program has also been set up with places reserved for Moldovans (as well as other ethnic Romanians from Ukraine or Serbia) in Romanian universities and high schools. In 2025, the Republic of Moldova had approximately 60,000 students in its own universities, of which 14,000 Moldovan students were studying in the European Union, and of these, 11,600 (i.e., 80%) were studying in Romania.

Another important symbolic moment took place on December 5, 2013, when the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova ruled that Romanian is the state language. The Court found that the 1991 Declaration of Independence, which explicitly states that the state language is Romanian, prevails over the Constitution. Although the phrase “Moldovan language” remained formally in the text of the Constitution, the Court’s decision established that this is understood to mean Romanian. It was a symbolic victory, even if the actual amendment of Article 13 of the Constitution would have to wait another decade.

Last but not least, during this period, there was a convergence of entertainment content from the two countries. In addition to the continuing trend of Moldovan artists on the Romanian music market, with artists such as Carla’s Dreams, Irina Rimes, The Motans, Mihail, and Satoshi, more and more Moldovans began to appear on very popular TV shows in Romania (iUmor, Românii au Talent, and Vocea României). At the same time, online, Romanian content creators on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook have gathered a significant audience in the Republic of Moldova, but conversely, creators from the Republic of Moldova have also reached audiences in Romania. Taken separately, all these things may seem trivial, but cumulatively they contribute to normalizing the idea that Romania and Moldova share the same pop-cultural space.

The third period: acceleration after 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a turning point. For a country located near the war zone and with a pro-Russian separatist region on its own territory, the threat suddenly became real. The authorities reacted by restricting pro-Kremlin channels, closing the local Sputnik office, and suspending the licenses of stations that broadcast disinformation. Against this backdrop, media consumption quickly shifted toward Romanian and Western content, and the change in attitude is also reflected in the data, with trust in Russian media falling from 42% in 2021 to 27% in 2023.

Looking at the big picture, Moldovan society has changed a lot in the last 35 years, with less Russian media, more contact with Romania, more freedom of movement, and a growing closeness to Europe. If institutional reforms are the visible part of integration, cultural rapprochement is the safety mechanism of the European path, even in the event of a less pro-European government.

III. Bulgarian-Moldovan relations: The new renaissance and the European path of the Republic of Moldova

In the current geopolitical architecture of Southeast Europe, relations between Sofia and Chisinau are undergoing a veritable renaissance. This process is dictated by a shared vision of the Republic of Moldova as a future member state of the European Union.

This development is based on the deep bonds of trust between the Bulgarian state and the Bulgarian and Gagauz communities in southern Moldova, but also on the tectonic shifts in the region that began after Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Geopolitical context: The new role of Bulgaria and Romania

The war in Ukraine has radically changed the dynamics of security and cooperation in the Black Sea region. The full admission of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area on January 1, 2025, removed the last physical and psychological barriers to the integration of Southeast Europe into the EU. An even more significant moment was January 1, 2026, when Bulgaria officially became a member of the eurozone, strengthening its position at the “core” of European processes.

At the same time, Sofia and Bucharest have unblocked many issues in their bilateral relations. The Strategic Partnership Declaration signed in March 2023 gave impetus to infrastructure projects such as new bridges over the Danube and improved energy interconnections. It is precisely this new and positive climate between Sofia and Bucharest that creates fertile ground for the development of Bulgarian-Moldovan relations, where concrete results are already visible.

Joint Political Declaration for a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania

Bulgaria and Romania should work together to support minorities in Moldova

Historical ties: Bulgarians in Bessarabia as a “living archive” of the Bulgarian Renaissance

The Bulgarians in Moldova represent a unique cultural phenomenon, often described as the “living archive” of the Bulgarian Renaissance. Descendants of colonists who sought refuge more than two hundred years ago, they have managed to preserve the language, customs, and old spirit of their ancestors. Their presence is most visible in the Taraclia district, where, in 26 localities, ethnic Bulgarians represent over 66% of the population.

According to data from the latest census in 2024, Moldova’s population is just over 2.4 million, of which 1.6% officially identify themselves as Bulgarian. For many Bessarabian Bulgarians, the Bulgarian passport is not only an emotional link to their motherland, but also a real and practical bridge to the opportunities offered by the European Union.

Despite this connection, there is a certain political tension. Bulgarians and Gagauz, who settled in Bugeac after the Russian-Turkish wars of the 19th century, are historically strongly linked to the Russian language and culture. In the context of European integration efforts, these communities often feel isolated from the political course of the PAS party and President Maia Sandu. This led to paradoxical results in the October 20, 2024 referendum, where over 90% of the population in the southern regions voted against constitutional changes that would allow EU accession. In this complex situation, the Moldovan authorities see Bulgaria as a key partner that can serve as a mediator and support the smooth integration of these communities into the European family.

Mihai Isac: Bulgaria’s role in the Republic of Moldova is much greater than is understood in Sofia

Education as “soft power”: the branch of the University of Ruse

The most eloquent symbol of the new cooperation is the opening of the branch of the University of Ruse “Anghel Kăncev” in Taraclia. This is a historic event – the first Bulgarian higher education institution outside the country’s borders, created through the transfer of the assets of the former State University of Taraclia “Grigore Țamblac”.

The first intake includes 260 students, among whom are Bulgarians from Bessarabia in neighboring Ukraine. In addition to traditional pedagogy, modern disciplines such as business management, computer science, and engineering have been introduced. Studies are free for Bulgarians and Gagauz, supported by scholarships provided by the Bulgarian state.

Administrative Director Alexander Borimecicov emphasizes that this is not just an educational project, but a tool for combating negative demographic trends. The diplomas are recognized throughout the European Union. Studying in Bulgarian and Romanian helps overcome the language barrier and “rediscover one’s roots,” as noted by expert Mihai Isac.

Political divisions and challenges

The process of Europeanization in Moldova faces certain internal contradictions. The parliamentary elections of September 28, 2025 showed a clear division: while PAS won at the national level, in Taraclia and Gagauzia about 80% of the votes went to the pro-Russian “Patriotic Bloc.”

Analysts such as Bulgarian political scientist Alexander Lambov and Gagauz journalist Mihail Sirkeli identify several critical factors for this split. One of these is the conservative attitudes of local communities, which perceive the liberal values of the EU as a threat to the traditional family. The mythologization of the 1980s as a period of security and economic stability is another factor. In addition, insufficient knowledge of the state language, Romanian, makes people vulnerable to hybrid disinformation from external sources.

Alexander Lambov: Bulgaria is highly respected in Taraclia, but this does not influence how Bulgarians in southern Moldova vote

Mihail Sirkeli: Moldova has economic problems, but with the EU’s help we will solve them

Economic and media connectivity

Meanwhile, Bulgaria already ranks 9th among Moldova’s trading partners and 6th among its EU partners. Bulgarian state investments in projects are directed towards the rehabilitation of buildings and urban spaces through local foundations such as “Spiritul Bulgar”. These projects are not just cosmetic – they include major repairs to schools and the modernisation of equipment, which improves the quality of life at the local level.

In the media sphere, Bulgaria’s presence is stronger than ever. The Bulgarian news agency BTA maintains an active press club in Taraclia, which serves as an information hub, and Bulgarian National Radio BNR is working to expand its broadcast area in the region. Among other things, media links would provide verified information about European processes.

Bulgaria’s role as a bridge and “advocate”

Bulgaria is increasingly becoming an “advocate” for the Republic of Moldova in Brussels. Programs through which hundreds of children from Taraclia visit Bulgaria annually aim to build an emotional connection with a modern and European Bulgaria.

Oleg Kosih, a Bulgarian from Bessarabia, is delighted with the inspired way in which Bulgaria is assuming this role:

“Bulgaria gives us ‘wings’. Its policy is not aggressive, but focuses on education and civil society. It acts as a bridge that helps us believe in our own strengths.”

Political scientist Dimitar Keranov, who actively communicates the Bulgarian experience in Romanian to the Moldovan public, urges even bolder steps. In his opinion, Bulgaria should also finance projects in regions that are not predominantly inhabited by Bulgarians, in order to demonstrate its commitment to the success of the entire Republic of Moldova.

Oleg Kosih: Bulgaria acts as a bridge in southern Moldova

Dimitar Keranov: Bulgaria and Romania must expand cooperation in all areas

Conclusion

However, Moldova’s European path remains fragile. Systemic corruption, institutional fragility, and the persistence of oligarchic networks continue to undermine the implementation of reforms. The European Commission’s reports reflect this ambivalence, acknowledging real but uneven progress.

Romania plays an essential role in this equation, functioning as the main vector connecting Moldova to the European space. From energy interconnections and direct financial support to the mobility offered by Romanian citizenship and access to the European labor market, Romania makes European integration tangible for Moldovan citizens.

Bulgaria offers a complementary example of European support through its relationship with the Bulgarian minority in southern Moldova. This link is an important platform for educational, cultural, and institutional cooperation, contributing to Europeanization at the local level and strengthening Moldova’s ties with the European Union.

Pulse Project

This article was produced as part of the PULSE Thematic Networks, a European initiative supporting transnational journalistic collaborations.

Authors

Laurențiu Pleșca (https://www.agora.md),

Bogdan Cozma (https://www.karadeniz-press.ro),

Vladimir Mitev (https://www.crossbordertalks.eu/)

Photo: The Republic of Moldova develops its infrastructure (source: Pixabay, CC0)

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