Brussels: The EU and Moldova have agreed to extend their current Road Transport Agreement until 31 March 2027, aiming to bolster Moldova’s access to global markets and strengthen its connection with the EU market. This Agreement, initially signed on 29 June 2022, has significantly boosted road exports, benefiting both economies.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas stated that the extension of the Road Transport Agreement with Moldova has provided critical support to the Moldovan economy, especially in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. It has also facilitated EU exports to Moldova, demonstrating the EU’s ongoing support and the steady integration of the two economies.
The Agreement was originally established as a response to the loss of crucial transport routes through Ukraine’s Black Sea ports due to Russia’s war of aggression. By partly liberalizing road freight transport, the Agreement grants transit and bilateral transport rights to Moldovan and EU hauliers, supporting the deeper integration of Moldova into the EU market. It also reinforces the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, recognizing Moldova’s vital role as a transit country for Ukrainian exports and imports.
The Agreement has led to a notable increase in road exports from Moldova to the EU, with a 57% rise in volume and a 41% increase in value in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2021. Similarly, EU exports by road to Moldova have seen a 49% increase in value and a 36% rise in volume during the same period.