The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and the European Parliament have signed the renewed Memorandum of Understanding in Brussels. The document was signed by the Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Igor Grosu, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, TRIBUNA reports.

The renewed Memorandum, which enters into force today, aims to bring the Moldovan Parliament closer to European Union standards. It provides for strengthening institutional capacities and supporting reform efforts, contributing to more efficient legislative and administrative work.

The parliamentary support activities outlined in the document will continue to assist Moldova on its path toward EU accession. Each autumn, the two institutions will jointly develop and agree on an activity plan for the following year. Support measures will include study visits and exchanges of best practices between MPs, training and professional development programs for parliamentary staff, facilitation of dialogue between parliamentary factions, and strengthening the capacities of parliamentary committees. Initiatives to enhance the role of young MPs and women MPs in decision‑making will also be promoted, alongside conferences, seminars and parliamentary roundtables held both in Moldova and at one of the European Parliament’s locations.

“We have taken another important step on our European path. The new memorandum, which enters into force today, will bring the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova even closer to EU standards by strengthening institutional capacity and supporting our reform efforts. It is a partnership that helps us become better, more efficient and more prepared for the status of EU member state. We have reliable partners by our side, and together we are building, step by step, Moldova’s European future,” said Speaker Igor Grosu.

The previous Memorandum of Understanding on a Common Framework for Parliamentary Democracy Support was signed on 29 November 2021 by former European Parliament President David Sassoli and Speaker Igor Grosu. It expired at the end of the previous legislative term of the Moldovan Parliament.