Today, 1 October 2026, the Governor of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM), Ms Anca Dragu, held a high-level bilateral meeting with Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, and for Implementation and Simplification. The discussions focused on the Republic of Moldova’s European integration process, strengthening macroeconomic stability and reforms in the financial sector.
The meeting was also attended by Ms Iwona Piórko, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, and Ms Annika Eriksgård, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), together with other members of the European delegation.
The Governor of the central bank highlighted the NBM’s contribution to aligning financial legislation with European Union rules, modernising payment systems and maintaining a resilient financial sector capable of supporting economic development. In this context, the importance of cooperation with the European Commission in advancing reforms and applying European standards in the central bank’s areas of competence was reaffirmed.
“Growing closer to the European Union gives us an opportunity to develop a stronger economy in which companies can invest and grow, while people can look to the future with greater confidence. To make the most of this opportunity, we need consistency in pursuing reforms and a financial sector prepared to support investment. European support can accelerate this transformation, while the responsibility of institutions is to create the conditions for resources to reach the economy and contribute to sustainable growth. Our experience with joining SEPA shows that the benefits of European integration can be felt even before actual EU accession, and encourages us to move forward with the same determination on other reforms,” Ms Anca Dragu emphasised.
An important topic of the meeting was the independence of the central bank. The Governor reaffirmed the NBM’s commitment to fully aligning with European requirements in this area and highlighted the role of institutional independence in ensuring credible monetary policy, maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability, and strengthening public confidence.
With regard to macroeconomic developments, the discussions addressed the risks associated with the external environment and the financial sector’s capability to withstand them. Ms Anca Dragu highlighted the sector’s resilience and the need to strengthen risk prevention and management tools in order to support the economy, including during periods of uncertainty.
The dialogue also covered the opportunities offered by the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, supported by the European Union, to stimulate investment, increase productivity and accelerate reforms. The Governor stressed that making effective use of this support requires implementation capabilities, good governance and the efficient channelling of resources towards the real economy, while maintaining financial stability.
The concrete benefits of closer integration with the European market were also highlighted through progress in modernising payments. The Republic of Moldova’s participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) facilitates transfers for citizens and companies and strengthens financial links with the European Union. At the same time, the development of national payment infrastructure is increasing access to financial services and improving the efficiency of economic activity.
Following the discussions on financial integration, the meeting also addressed the NBM’s efforts to secure EU recognition of the equivalence of the Republic of Moldova’s banking regulatory framework with that of the European Union. Ms Anca Dragu welcomed the European Commission’s support in reviewing draft legislation relevant to the EU accession process and highlighted the importance of this dialogue for the continued harmonisation of national legislation with the European framework.
Mr Valdis Dombrovskis is in Chișinău to participate, as the keynote speaker at a session on European integration, in the international conference organised by the National Bank of Moldova in partnership with the Banque de France and the National Bank of Romania on 1–2 October 2026. The event is dedicated to the coordination of economic policies for convergence with the European Union, with a focus on fiscal space and monetary stability in the context of accelerated European integration.
