Three decades of relations between the European Union and Moldova – from cooperation to the membership perspective

The research objective of the article is to analyze the evolution of bilateral relations between the European Union and Moldova from the 1990s to the present, with a particular focus on the participation of the Republic of Moldova in the European Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership, as well as the signing and implementation of the Association Agreement. Contemporary challenges and threats (including Russian aggression against Ukraine) have had a significant impact on the security of the EU, as well as the development of relations between the EU and neighboring countries. In particular, the prospect of membership in the EU structures was opened up to Moldova (and Ukraine). In the paper, the author poses a research hypothesis that despite the fact that Moldova has been granted the status of an EU candidate country, the republic still has a significant internal problem, the lack of solution to which may largely postpone the commencement of accession negotiations or even hinder EU-Moldova cooperation.