Enlargement: the EU and Moldova begin negotiations on the internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth

The EU and Moldova have taken another important step in the accession process by launching negotiations on the thematic chapters entitled ‘Internal Market’ and ‘Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth’. The thematic chapters are essential elements of the negotiating framework for EU accession, as they set out the parameters that candidate countries must follow in order to align with the EU acquis in the relevant areas.

The ‘Internal Market’ thematic group covers EU policies relating 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 ‘Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth’ thematic group covers EU policies relating to economic competitiveness and growth, such as taxation, economic and monetary policy, industry, digital transformation, employment, education, research and customs.

The EU has also set benchmarks for the forthcoming provisional closure of these chapters.

Accession to the EU is a merit-based process. During the negotiations, progress in aligning with the EU acquis and relevant European standards, and in implementing them, will be monitored.

Negotiations on the thematic cluster relating to external relations had already begun in July 2026, prior to the decision.

Information on the thematic groups:

The thematic chapters are essential elements of the negotiating framework for EU accession, as they set out the parameters that candidate countries must follow in order to align with the EU acquis in the relevant areas. The thematic groups are divided into chapters, which correspond to the various policy areas under negotiation.

The ‘Internal Market’ thematic group comprises nine specific negotiation chapters on:

• the free movement of goods (Chapter 1);
• the free movement of workers (Chapter 2);
• the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services (Chapter 3);
• the free movement of capital (Chapter 4);
• Company law (Chapter 6);
• intellectual property law (Chapter 7);
• competition policy (Chapter 8);
• financial services (Chapter 9); and
• health and consumer protection (Chapter 28).

The thematic group ‘Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth’ comprises eight specific negotiating chapters on:

• digital transformation and media (Chapter 10);
• taxation (Chapter 16);
• economic and monetary policy (Chapter 17);
• social policy and employment (Chapter 19);
• business and industrial policy (Chapter 20);
• science and research (chapter 25);
• education and culture (Chapter 26); and
• Customs Union (Chapter 29).

Context:

Following the introduction in 2020 of the revised methodology for accession negotiations, the negotiation chapters are divided into six thematic groups:

1. fundamentals,
2. the internal market,
3. competitiveness and inclusive growth,
4. the green agenda and sustainable connectivity,
5. resources, agriculture and cohesion,
6. external relations.

Each chapter corresponds to a different policy area. There are 33 chapters in total.

 

More information: European Council