The European Commission is due to tell Moldova on November 8 that it has fulfilled six out of the nine criteria needed to begin negotiations for European Union membership, according to a draft report seen by RFE/RL.
Moldova, one of the poorest European countries, was granted candidate status by the European Council in June 2022.
The report will likely recommend that Chisinau start membership negotiations with the 27-member bloc in spring, sources told RFE/RL, although it was not immediately clear whether the commission will require that Moldova first fulfill the remaining three criteria -- the reform of the judiciary, the fight against corruption, and de-oligarchization.
According to the draft report seen by RFE/RL, the six conditions that Moldova has so far fulfilled refer to: the improvement of the Electoral Code according to the requirements of the Venice Commission; actions to fight organized crime; strengthening the protection of human rights and especially of vulnerable groups; reforming the management of public finances; increased involvement of civil society in the decision-making process; the improvement of public services; and the start of public administration reform.
The draft report mentions that Moldova has reached a "certain level of preparedness" in its fight against corruption, and has achieved "some progress."
However, the document states that no "significant progress" has been made in the prosecution of big cases of corruption and in lengthy criminal cases.
The draft says Moldova continued to consolidate its democratic system and the rule of law, "despite the multiple challenges related to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine."
However, the document mentions concerns about the banning of some candidates in last week's local elections (such as leaders of the disbanded Shor Party, which has been declared unconstitutional).
Recommendations made by the commission -- the bloc's executive body -- represent an intermediary step before a final decision on whether the country can start the negotiations process will be made by the EU leaders in December.