Moldova's accession journey: insights on economic governance and modernisation

Next event Online

Peace, Security & Defence

22Oct2026

starts 14:00

ends 14:40

Add to Google Outlook Yahoo iCalendar

About Schedule Speakers Partners

Get in touch

About

Moldova’s accession journey: insights on economic governance and modernisation

Dharmendra Kanani, Director of Policy and Programmes and Chief Spokesperson at Friends of Europe, will sit down with Anca Dragu, Governor of the National Bank of Moldova, for a timely conversation on Moldova’s progress towards EU accession and how financial integration, institutional reforms and economic development can deliver tangible benefits for citizens and businesses.

The discussion will explore:

How Moldova’s EU accession process is progressing and the role of the National Bank of Moldova in advancing reforms, aligning with European standards and strengthening the country’s financial system;
How Moldova’s integration into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and the introduction of its national instant payment system, MIA, are reducing transaction costs, improving financial inclusion and bringing tangible benefits to households and businesses;
The progress made in implementing financial sector reforms under the EU accession framework, including the modernisation of banking and insurance regulations, and efforts to strengthen the independence and governance of the National Bank of Moldova;
How the expansion of credit and improved access to finance can support Moldova’s economic development, stimulate investment and create new opportunities for citizens and businesses.

Crucially, the conversation will consider how Moldova can build on the momentum of recent reforms, address the remaining challenges on its path towards EU membership and translate closer European integration into greater economic stability, prosperity and concrete improvements in citizens’ daily lives.

#CriticalThinkingLive is the latest expansion in our #CriticalThinking family, bringing influential voices from across a range of sectors to challenge, inspire and influence current thinking on the biggest issues facing Europe and the world.

Related content:

Event | Enlargement Summit 2026
Event | A path for European enlargement: roundtable with Timcho Mucunski
Initiative | Enlargement

Schedule

Speakers

Anca Dragu has served as the Governor of the National Bank of Moldova since December 2023, bringing 28 years of experience in economics, finance, banking and public service. Previously, Dragu served as Speaker of the Romanian Senate and Minister of Public Finance. During her tenure, she launched initiatives such as the “Warm lunch in schools” programme, developed a public platform for budget transparency and reduced income tax for researchers. Dragu began her career as an economist at the National Bank of Romania, and previously worked with the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. In addition to her roles in economics, she is also an associate professor at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest and has published several scientific papers in both national and international journals.

Dharmendra Kanani is Director of Policy & Programmes and Chief Spokesperson at Friends of Europe. Prior to joining Friends of Europe, Dharmendra was director of policy at the European Foundation Centre (EFC). He was the England director at the Big Lottery Fund, the largest independent funder in the UK and fourth largest in the world. Dharmendra has held senior positions in the public and voluntary sectors and advisor to numerous ministerial policy initiatives across the UK.

Partners