This historic moment further underscores the NBM's commitment to the development of a robust banking sector and a sound financial system, essential elements for building a European state. Over the past few years, the NBM has successfully enhanced its supervisory capabilities and aligned the banking sector closer to European Union (EU) standards. The central bank will continue to strengthen the functioning and stability of the banking sector, therefore enhancing its credibility.

Ongoing projects, such as the European Union-funded Twinning project “Strengthening supervision, corporate governance, and risk management in the financial sector of the Republic of Moldova”, underscore the NBM's commitments to promote convergence with European standards.

At the same time, the NBM is focusing on meeting the conditions for joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), a barrier-free payments market that will empower Moldovan citizens to make cashless euro payments to and from the European area in a much safer, faster and cheaper way.

The economic conditions for progress in the negotiations include a robust market economy, the ability to withstand competitive pressure in the European market, adherence to the objectives of economic and monetary union, and the effective implementation of the EU acquis through suitable administrative and judicial structures.

In the coming period, the NBM will focus its efforts on maintaining macroeconomic stability and strengthening the financial sector, which involves further harmonisation of financial legislation with EU rules. The NBM will remain actively engaged in domestic legislative, institutional and functional changes, striving to contribute to meeting the economic criterion for EU accession and ensuring Moldova's closer alignment with the EU.

On 14 December, the European Council decided to open accession dialogue with Moldova and Ukraine. At the same time, the EU granted candidate status to Georgia and opened accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.