Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said he hopes his country can apply for EU membership in the second half of 2015.
But Leanca, in Brussels on June 26 one day ahead of Moldova's signing of an EU Association Agreement, said applying for membership next year depends on his Liberal Democratic Party winning elections later this year.
Leanca said the Association Agreement "a very important stage in our development" but is not "the ultimate goal."
Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti said in a statement on June 26 that the Association Agreement should not be "viewed with hostility by Moldova's partners in the [Commonwealth of Independent States]."
He said such countries will "gain from having on their side a stronger, more prosperous Moldova."
Russia has said its economic ties with Moldova could be damaged by the EU deals.
Based on reporting by dpa, Interfax
