Brussels, 26 March 2024
The EU and Moldova decided today to extend the validity of their current road transport Agreement until 31 December 2025. The Agreement aims at helping Moldova access world markets by facilitating transit through EU countries and also further developing its links with the EU market. This agreement with Moldova, first signed on 29 June 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 liberalising road freight transport through giving transit and bilateral transport rights to Moldovan and EU hauliers for their respective territories, the Agreement helps better anchoring 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 stabilised 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 30 June 2024.
Quote(s)
This road agreement is a lifeline for Moldova, hit hard by the loss of its traditional trade routes and the war in Ukraine. Today’s decision offers predictability to economic operators both in the EU and in Moldova and confirms our unwavering support to Moldova. For the next 18 months, economic exchanges by road between EU and Moldovan operators can proceed unhindered.