A delegation from the Republic of Moldova, led by the Governor of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM), Ms Anca Dragu, and the Minister of Finance, Mr Andrian Gavriliță, is participating in the Annual High-Level Meeting of the Economic and Financial Dialogue between the EU Candidate Countries for EU accession, taking place in Brussels on 5 May 2026.
The meeting is being held in the context of preparing EU candidate countries to meet the economic criteria for accession, which require the existence of a functioning market economy and the capacity to withstand competitive pressures and market forces within the EU. The event therefore provides a forum for dialogue based on the economic reform programmes of the candidate countries, with discussions also focusing on macroeconomic and financial prospects in the context of geopolitical conflicts and international trade tensions.
In her address, the Governor of the National Bank, Ms Anca Dragu, referred to the dynamics of macroeconomic indicators, highlighting specific monetary policy measures adopted to ensure medium-term price stability and to respond promptly to external risks.
The NBM Governor emphasised the progress made in harmonising the national normative and supervisory framework with the EU acquis in areas falling under the Bank’s remit.
“The banking system in the Republic of Moldova is stable, well-capitalised and focused on modernisation. We continue to develop regulation and supervision of the financial sector, ensuring alignment with EU rules and international standards. These efforts contribute directly to economic stability and support the Republic of Moldova’s advancement along the path of European integration, delivering tangible results for citizens and the business community,” Ms Dragu noted.
In this context, the NBM Governor highlighted the recent approval by the Government of the Republic of Moldova of the Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, to which the NBM made a significant contribution. This important document, aligned with EU legislation, establishes clear criteria for identifying economic activities considered environmentally sustainable. She also noted the adoption by the NBM of a new framework for responsible lending, applicable to both banks and non-bank credit institutions, aimed at protecting citizens from over-indebtedness.
Particular emphasis was also placed on European financial integration through the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which has rapidly become the main channel for euro payments, generating millions in savings for the business community and substantial benefits for the economy as a whole.
The Brussels visit agenda also includes a series of bilateral meetings with senior officials – including Ms Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union; Mr Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG NEAR) of the European Commission; and Ms Annika Eriksgaard, Deputy Director-General for Investment and International at the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN).
The Annual High-Level Meeting of the Economic and Financial Dialogue between the EU and Candidate Countries represents a multilateral platform bringing together finance ministers from EU Member States, representatives of the European Commission and the European Central Bank, as well as officials from the finance ministries and central banks of candidate countries, serving as a permanent framework for coordination, guidance and monitoring of the implementation of economic policies in candidate countries, in line with EU standards and practices.