Minister Byrne welcomes Moldovan progress towards EU accession

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, today (17 February) welcomed Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Chief Negotiator with the EU, Cristina Gherasimov, to Iveagh House.

Commenting on the meeting, Minister Byrne said: “My meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Gherasimov provides the opportunity for Ireland and Moldova to deepen our strong bilateral relations, and to discuss Moldova's path towards EU accession ahead of the Irish EU Presidency later this year.

“As Ireland prepares to take over the EU Presidency on 1 July, we are focused on EU enlargement and progressing individual candidacies. Against the backdrop of relentless hybrid attacks on Moldova, the people of Moldova have voted repeatedly, in support of their country joining the EU.

“Ireland is very clear in its support of Moldova as an EU candidate country. We recognise and commend the significant progress that Moldova has made on the path towards EU membership, particularly in the past year. We welcome the European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement Report which outlines that Moldova has met the conditions required to open negotiating clusters, and as Ireland’s EU Presidency approaches, we look forward to further supporting Moldova’s progress on the EU accession path."

ENDS

Press Office

17 February 2026