In order to accelerate Moldova’s political association and economic integration with the EU, and in line with the EU's Eastern Partnership policy, the EU and the Republic of Moldova have entered negotiations on an Association Agreement. The Association Agreement is a concrete way to exploit the very positive dynamics in EU-Moldova relations, focusing on support to core reforms, on economic recovery, governance and sector co-operation.

The Association Agreement can also be seen as a reform agenda for Moldova, based around a comprehensive programme of regulatory approximation, around which Moldova’s assistance partners can align themselves and focus their assistance.  

The objective is to start negotiations on a deep and comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) as a core element of the Association Agreement if and when Moldova is deemed to be ready to sustain the impact of far-reaching liberalisation of its trade with the EU.

Negotiations on the Association Agreement, as the successor agreement to the Partnership & Cooperation Agreement (PCA), were launched in Chisinau on 12 January 2010. Several negotiating Rounds have followed, alternately in Brussels and Chisinau (see: 1st Joint Progress Report [20 KB]  and 2nd Joint Progress Report [206 KB]. The seventh negotiating round on the Association Agreement took place on 5 July 2011 in Brussels.