THE ENLARGEMENT OF the European Union is a priority for Ireland during its hosting of the EU Presidency, the Minister for European Affairs said today as he met with a representative for EU candidate Moldova.

Moldova, a small nation with a population of 2.4m, hopes to join the EU by 2030. In 2022, it gained official EU candidate status alongside Ukraine, which it borders on, and has been decisive in shedding as much of its lingering Russian control as possible.

One of its main achievements has been the separating of its energy grid from Russia, a process it completed in 2025.

The accession of Ukraine to the European Union remains tied with Moldova’s bid for entry to the 27-strong bloc, the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Cristina Gherasimov said today.

The country is now engaging in diplomatic efforts to smooth its transition to becoming a member state, with Gherasimov today meeting with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne in Dublin.

Byrne has been initiating and maintaining dialogue with aspiring member states ahead of the EU Presidency, which Ireland will host from July. He is to visit Ukraine and Moldova for St Patrick’s Day, as well as EU member Poland.

Speaking to The Journal today, Gherasimov said the accession of Ukraine to the EU is “essential” for Moldova.

“The security of Ukraine is also the security of Moldova. It’s also the security of the entire European continent. Therefore, for us, a priority is for Ukraine to be able to advance in the negotiations as well,” she said, adding that her country is confident the EU will find a solution to allow Ukraine to move forward with its EU bid.

On Moldova’s own bid, she said disinformation originating from Moscow is one of its “most powerful tools”, not only targeting Moldova but also the credibility of the EU and its enlargement.

“Enlargement is deeply transformative, and I think here, Ireland is a very good example in terms of how it [can] change, either from an economic growth perspective, or generally from the benefits that it is able to provide to its own citizens,” the deputy prime minister said.

Her point seconded by Byrne, who said the enlargement of the EU will be beneficial for Ireland from both an economic and security standpoint. There has been concern that Moldova, a former Soviet republic settled between Ukraine and Romania, could be next targeted by Russia.

“Our view is that we saw the benefits of joining the European Union – we’ve really transformed the country. We think that should be extended to others. And we also think that it’s very much in our own economic interests as well, to open up new markets for us,” Byrne said.

He said it is in Ireland’s security interests for countries like Moldova and Montenegro, the latter looking to close negotiations to join the EU during Ireland’s presidency with the view to becoming a member by 2028, to be in the union.

The Minister last week attended the Munich Security Conference, where he told The Journal he is open to the idea of using foreign police forces to assist gardaí during EU presidency events. 

Today, he affirmed he is conscious of the potential of hybrid threats – such as Russian disinformation disseminated online, or potential drone intrusions – during the presidency.

“This [hybrid threats] has happened in other countries hosting the presidency, and it has caused them serious difficulties as well. And I don’t think anybody is able to completely counteract what Russia is trying to do,” Byrne said.

“I know that gardaí are working very, very closely with all concerned to ensure this is as safe as possible.

“I’ve absolute confidence in An Garda Síochána, but there are going to be challenges. There’s no doubt about that. I think we have to be ready for them. And the challenges could be physical [like drone incursions], or it could be in the disinformation space.”