For Moldova, the signing of the Association Agreement and the DCFTA with the European Union in 2014 was an act of strategic geopolitical significance. Of all the EUs eastern neighbours, Moldova is objectively the most European on several counts, including sharing a common history, language, culture and border with EU member state Romania. These provide a positive foundation for a successful Agreement, notwithstanding the major political challenges that confront contemporary Moldova.

The purpose of this Handbook is to make the complex political, economic and legal content of the Association Agreement readily understandable. This second edition, published two years into the Agreements implementation, adds new value, charting Moldovas progress in putting the Agreement into effect.

Two teams of researchers from leading independent think tanks, CEPS in Brussels and the Expert-Grup in Chiinu, collaborated on this project, with the support of the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). This Handbook is one of a trilogy examining similar Association Agreements made by the EU with Ukraine and Georgia.

Michael Emerson is Associate Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels.

Denis Cenusa is Associate Expert at the Expert-Grup think tank, Chiinu, Moldova.

Preface / Summary /Part I: Political Principles, the Rule of Law and Foreign Policy/ 1. Political Principles / 2. Rule of Law and Movement of People / 3. Foreign and Security Policy /Part II: Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area / 4. Market Access for Goods / 5. Trade Remedies / 6. Customs Services / 7. Technical Standards for Industrial Goods / 8. Food Safety Regulations / 9. Services / 10. Public Procurement / 11. Intellectual Property Rights / 12. Competition Policy / 13. Statistics /Part III: Economic Cooperation / 14. Macroeconomic Context and Financial Assistance / 15. Financial Services / 16. Transport / 17. Energy / 18. Environment / 19. Digital Sector / 20. Consumer Protection / 21. Company Law / 22. Agriculture / 23. Employment and Social Policy / 24. Education, Training and Culture / 25. Scientific and Technology / 26. EU Agencies and Programmes / 27. Cross-Border Cooperation / 28. Civil Society /Part IV: Legal and Institutional Provisions / 29. Dispute Settlement / 30. Institutional Provisions