The EU and Moldova decided today to extend the validity of their current road transport Agreement until December 31, 2025. The Agreement aims to help Moldova access world markets by facilitating transit through EU countries and further developing its links with the EU market. This agreement with Moldova, first signed on June 29, 2022, has substantially increased exports by road from Moldova to the EU to the benefit of both economies.
It was put in place following the loss of important transport routes passing through Ukraine's Black Sea ports and export markets to the east of Ukraine caused by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. By partly liberalizing road freight transport by giving transit and bilateral transport rights to Moldovan and EU haulers for their respective territories, the Agreement helps better anchor the Moldovan market into the EU. The Agreement has also strengthened the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes by facilitating road transport between the EU and Moldova, which is an important country of transit for Ukrainian exports and imports.
Exports by road from Moldova to the EU increased by 27% in volume in the third quarter of 2022 and by 35% in the third quarter of 2023, respectively, compared to the same period in 2021. The EU also benefited from the Agreement since EU exports by road to Moldova increased by 30% in value from the third quarter of 2021 to the third quarter of 2022 and stabilized around the same value in the third quarter of 2023.
The decision to extend the Agreement took place at today's meeting of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement and does not modify its substance.
Background
The purpose of this Agreement is to temporarily facilitate road freight transport between and through the territory of the European Union and Moldova. It aims to counter the significant road transport disruptions caused by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine by granting additional rights of transit and carriage of goods between the two markets.
The current end date of the Agreement is June 30, 2024.
For more information:
Stefan de Keersmaecker
European Commission
Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80
Email: stefan.de-keersmaecker@ec.europa.eu