Moldovan President Sandu visits The Hague for talks with Dutch Prime Minister Jetten
Moldovan President Maia Sandu will be received by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Wednesday. The meeting will focus on "the strong bilateral relationship" between the two nations, according to the Dutch Government Information Service (RVD).
During a working lunch at the Catshuis, the official residence of the prime minister, talks will cover Moldova’s path toward European Union membership, the war in Ukraine, and broader security concerns.
In recent years, the Netherlands has positioned itself as a partner and ally of Moldova, reflecting a broader strategic focus on Europe’s eastern flank. Since 2023, the Netherlands has once again maintained a full-fledged embassy in Chișinău, underlining its renewed diplomatic engagement in the region. The embassy reopening forms part of a wider effort by the Dutch government to strengthen its presence and influence along the EU’s eastern borders.
Moldova member of the EU
Moldova, meanwhile, is keen to join the European Union and has stepped up its reform efforts in pursuit of membership.
Earlier this month, EU ministers meeting in the General Affairs Council held discussions with candidate countries from the Western Balkans, as well as Ukraine and Moldova. Several of these countries are pushing for a faster accession process, hoping geopolitical tensions — particularly Russia’s war in Ukraine — will accelerate their path to membership.
However, the Netherlands, alongside several other member states, continues to advocate for a “merit-based enlargement process in which the pace of reforms is decisive,” according to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This approach reflects longstanding Dutch concerns about maintaining strict accession criteria.
At the same time, there is broad consensus among EU member states in support of opening the next step of accession talks. Ministers have expressed cautious optimism about the possible formal opening of negotiation clusters with both Ukraine and Moldova in the near future, beginning with Cluster 1, which focuses on fundamental reforms.
The Hague Insider
