AGP Executive Report

UN Cartography Shift: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution, urging governments, schools and tech firms to use equal-area projections like Equal Earth instead of Mercator when relative land size matters; the vote was 164-1 with the U.S. the only no, and Moldova among six abstentions—an issue that’s now spilling into education and public information worldwide. Moldova Security & Governance: Moldova’s agenda also stayed heavy on security and state capacity, with reporting on Russian-linked recruitment risks and a Transnistria election dispute over polling stations, alongside fallout from a Criuleni case that exposed failures in electronic monitoring for domestic abusers. Budget & Business Rules: Parliament advanced 2026 budget revisions and Moldova moved on policy changes affecting businesses in Transnistria, while authorities prepared stricter energy-compensation criteria and temporary licensing rules for grain and oilseed imports. Energy Infrastructure: The Vertical Gas Corridor expanded further into the Western Balkans, adding North Macedonia and Serbia to the network that already includes Moldova’s Vestmoldtransgaz, aiming to boost cross-border gas flows and capacity. Food Prices Pressure: Global food prices climbed to the highest level since late 2022 as Russia-Ukraine war disruptions hit wheat exports, with knock-on effects for markets Moldova trades with.

UN Cartography & Representation: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push to promote equal-area projections like Equal Earth, passing 164-1 with the US the only no vote; Moldova, along with Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Serbia and Ukraine, abstained. The resolution is non-binding but encourages governments, schools and tech platforms to move away from Mercator when accurate relative size matters. Moldova Security & Governance: Moldova’s agenda also stayed dominated by security and state capacity issues, including Russian-linked recruitment concerns, a Transnistria election dispute over polling stations, and a Criuleni case that exposed failures in electronic monitoring for domestic abusers. Budget & Business Rules: Parliament advanced changes to Moldova’s 2026 budget and approved reforms affecting public administration and school governance, while the government tightened the rules around Transnistrian business tax privileges and discussed stricter energy compensation criteria. Regional Energy Trade: Moldova remains plugged into wider gas connectivity plans as the Vertical Corridor expanded into the Western Balkans, adding North Macedonia’s NOMAGAS and Serbia’s Transportgas Serbia to the network that already includes Moldova’s Vestmoldtransgaz.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution, backing wider use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth to show Africa’s true relative size; 164 countries voted yes, the US voted no, and Moldova abstained—no ban on Mercator, but a push for schools, media and tech to switch when area matters. Moldova Security & Politics: Moldova’s SIS warned of more Russian-linked recruitment via Telegram, while the government prepared a protest over Transnistria planning extra polling stations; authorities also flagged failures in electronic monitoring after the Criuleni tragedy and carried out crypto-related financing searches. Budget & Public Pay: Parliament approved a 2026 budget revision including one-time allowances up to 4,000 lei for lower-paid public sector staff, plus broader budget changes. EU Accession Push: Moldova’s foreign minister met Lithuania’s leadership in Vilnius as Lithuania seeks to accelerate opening remaining EU negotiation clusters before its 2027 Council presidency. Trade & Logistics: Ukraine is urged to keep alternative export routes via Moldova as rail access at Kuchurgan was blocked, highlighting pressure points in “solidarity” corridors. Energy Corridor: North Macedonia and Serbia joined the Vertical Gas Corridor, extending regional gas interconnectivity that already includes Moldova.

EU Accession & Diplomacy: Moldova’s foreign affairs leadership met Lithuania’s top officials in Vilnius, with Lithuania pushing to open remaining EU negotiation clusters before its 2027 Council presidency and offering support on security, defense industry and dual-use tech. Regional Trade & Logistics: Ukraine is rerouting grain after Moldova’s railway operator blocked transfers at Kuchurgan, a reminder that “Solidarity Routes” can fail at the crossing level even when deals exist on paper. Capital Markets: Moldova’s new Moldova International Stock Exchange (MIE), backed by the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), received an unlimited-term market operator licence, clearing the way for regulated trading and more financing options for local firms. Public Finance & Wages: Parliament approved a 2026 budget revision to fund one-time allowances of up to 4,000 lei for public sector staff earning up to 20,000 lei/month. Agriculture Imports: Grain and oilseed imports face a provisional licensing regime through 31 October 2026, with MPs clashing over whether it protects processors or favors large exporters. Elections in Gagauzia: The Central Electoral Commission published the list of 37 parties eligible for November 15, 2026 governor elections, alongside People’s Assembly voting. Transnistria Reintegration: Moldova is applying VAT and excise duties to Transnistrian businesses starting September 1, beginning with non-essential and luxury goods. Customs & Business Climate: Moldova marked the 35th anniversary of its Customs Service, with the PM stressing better risk management and easier operations for trusted businesses.

Customs & Trade Facilitation: Moldova marked the Customs Service’s 35th anniversary, with PM Vasile Tofan stressing smarter risk management and easier procedures for trusted businesses. Education Investment: The “Education 2030” program was published in the Official Journal, outlining about 13bn lei for nurseries, school upgrades, curriculum revisions, and dual education with private companies. Agri-Imports Rules: Parliament approved a provisional licensing regime for grain and oilseed imports until 31 October 2026, a move criticized by opposition MPs. Capital Markets: Moldova’s new Moldova International Stock Exchange (MIE) cleared a key step—an unlimited-term market operator licence—aiming to broaden financing via equity and bonds, with Bucharest Stock Exchange holding 26.7%. EU Budget & Enlargement: European Council President Antonio Costa met President Nicușor Dan in Bucharest to discuss the 2028–2034 EU budget, defense, and Moldova’s accession path. Transnistria Economic Reintegration: VAT and excise duties start applying to Transnistrian “non-essential and luxury” goods from Sept 1, while the Convergence Fund is set to back social and connectivity projects. Energy & Logistics: ANRE updated winter gas storage volumes for 2026–2027, and experts say Ukraine’s “Odesa Triangle” logistics route through Moldova to Constanța is crucial for exports. US Tariffs: Moldova was not included in the new US Section 301 surcharge list, though standard duties still apply by product.

EU Budget & Energy Security: Bulgaria’s PM Rumen Radev met EU Council President Antonio Costa in Sofia to discuss the 2028-2034 EU budget, “industrial cohesion,” and energy connectivity, with Costa stressing affordable energy as key to Europe’s resilience. Moldova-Russia Tensions: Moldova’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s designated ambassador and issued a protest over Moscow’s plan to open 16 polling stations in Transnistria for the State Duma elections, calling it unauthorized and “unfriendly.” Education Reform: Parliament approved in second reading the creation of Territorial Education Agencies to manage schools under the Education Ministry, aiming for a unified system and tighter oversight. Public Finance: Speaker Igor Grosu said Moldova’s 2026 budget deficit (revised to about 23.07 bln lei) is “manageable,” with a different approach promised for the 2027 budget. Energy Storage Update: Moldova’s gas regulator ANRE raised the mandatory storage volume for Transnistria for 2026-2027 winter to 135.972 mln cubic metres, with stockpiling due by 1 November. Digital Safety & Youth Health: Moldova and Romania’s First Lady joined an international conference in Chisinau on children’s online safety and mental health. Governance & Oversight: Parliament extended by 30 days the inquiry commission’s mandate on certain state-owned enterprises to deliver both findings and legislative fixes. Investment Rules: Deputies advanced a draft law creating a clearer regime for strategic investments, aligned with EU standards. Business & Trade: Moldova may temporarily license imports of cereal and oilseed crops until Oct 31, 2026, to protect domestic producers while keeping trade manageable.

Online Safety & Youth Mental Health: President Maia Sandu and Romania’s First Lady Mirabela Gradinaru met in Chisinau to discuss how to protect children online as digital life reshapes attention, emotions, and well-being. Strategic Investment Rules: Parliament backed a draft new Law on Investments creating a clearer regime for strategic projects to give investors more predictable conditions aligned with EU standards. Crypto-Linked Party Financing Probe: CNA and prosecutors carried out searches across Moldova in a case alleging illegal political party funding and money laundering via cryptocurrencies. Agriculture Trade Controls: Moldova may temporarily require licenses for cereal and oilseed crop imports until Oct. 31 to protect domestic producers. Transnistria Reintegration & Tax Harmonization: Deputy PM for reintegration Valeriu Chiveri said tax and customs harmonization will continue toward a unified framework by Jan. 1, 2030. Energy Costs: Energocom reported natural gas prices rising on European markets amid global supply risks. Public Finance & Health Spending: Government approved a 2026 state budget revision with cold-season compensation and higher mandatory health insurance funding (+167.4m lei). Local Governance Reform: 63% of Moldova’s town halls completed voluntary mergers, with 292 planned to remain after the 2027 consolidation. Defense Capacity Grant: Parliament’s foreign policy committee approved a €4.32m UNITAR grant to boost Moldova’s army crisis response capabilities.

Transnistria Tax Harmonization: Moldova will keep harmonizing the tax regime for goods brought by Transnistrian operators, starting Sept. 1 and aiming for a single framework by Jan. 1, 2030, with monitoring for deviations. Digital ID Rollout: Europe’s digital identity wallets are moving from pilots to production; in Moldova, FinComBank and Moldindconbank have begun integrating the government’s EVO wallet, with plans to expand services from 20 to 200 next year. Budget & Social Spending: The government approved a 2026 state budget revision, including 550 million lei for energy compensations next cold season and a 167.4 million lei increase to mandatory health insurance funds. Energy Costs Watch: Energocom says natural gas prices on the European exchange kept rising to 74.35 euros/MWh, driven by Middle East LNG risks and low storage levels. Trade & Logistics: Railway of Moldova transported 46,500+ tons of export and transit goods in August, mainly agricultural products; Nova Post also entered Canada, pushing international delivery and a future franchise rollout. EU Accession Blocked Again: Hungary blocked further EU accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova for a third time, tying progress to minority rights commitments. Local Governance Reform: Moldova’s city-hall merger reform is on track: 63% of mayors’ offices have opted for voluntary amalgamation, with 292 expected to remain in 2027. Anti-Corruption: CNA and prosecutors carried out searches tied to consumer protection inspectorate officials.

State Budget Update: Moldova’s government approved amendments to the 2026 state budget, raising funding for cold-season compensation, one-off payments for teachers, police and other public employees, and the Road Fund, while warning the deficit could climb to about 23 billion lei (5.95% of GDP). Health Insurance Boost: Mandatory health insurance (FAOAM) for 2026 increases by 167.4 million lei, expanding hospital care, rehabilitation, dialysis, radiotherapy and palliative services. Local Governance Reform: Voluntary town-hall mergers are moving fast: 63% of mayoralties (561) have final merger decisions, and by 2027 the number of city halls is set to fall to 292, with incentives totaling about 4.5 billion lei. Energy Support for Winter: The cabinet earmarked 550 million lei for 2026 energy compensations, with beneficiary criteria to be tightened toward those who need help most. Cross-border Trade & Logistics: Nova Post entered Canada, targeting faster delivery and a franchise rollout, while Ukraine’s chicken offal imports are expected to rise in 2026 before easing in 2027. Business Funding: Moldova’s ODA opens September grant calls worth over 61 million lei for SMEs, women’s entrepreneurship, digital innovations and local producers. Anti-corruption Crackdown: CNA and prosecutors searched officials tied to the consumer protection inspectorate, signaling tighter enforcement on consumer-related oversight. Transnistria Tax Integration: From 1 September, VAT/excise and customs rules expand to more goods imported by Transnistrian economic operators, aiming for uniform rules and fair competition.

Transnistria Tax Integration: Moldova started applying VAT and excise duties from Sept. 1 on select goods imported by Transnistrian-based economic operators, with a first stage covering items like alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, jewelry and certain vehicles, and later phases for other categories through 2027—aimed at equal rules and gradually bringing left-bank firms into Moldova’s tax space. Business Grants: Moldova’s ODA opens September non-reimbursable funding calls for companies, with over 61 million lei available across programs for women’s entrepreneurship, small producers, digital innovations/startups, and SME competitiveness. EU/OSCE Diplomacy: Deputy PM for reintegration Valeriu Chiveri visited Rezina, funding a digital X-ray machine for the local health centre, while Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi met the new OSCE Mission head Christopher W. Smith to discuss Transnistrian settlement and Moldova’s EU path. Labour Market Crackdown: Authorities identified 10,140 undeclared workers in 2026, with informal employment falling to 17.3% in 2025 from 23.0% in 2023. Export Push via Diaspora: Moldovan wine producers promoted their products in the Netherlands through the “Buy Diaspora” programme, linking 10 small producers with Dutch consumers and business partners. Energy/Industry Signals: Premier Energy reported H1 growth in normalised EBITDA and revenue, while Vetropack completed a major dismantling phase at its St-Prex glass plant.

VAT & Customs Integration: Moldova starts applying VAT and excise duties from Sept 1 to imports of key goods from Transnistrian businesses, covering alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, perfumes, pyrotechnics, furs, jewelry/precious stones and some transport items, aiming to standardize rules across both banks and fund support for residents there. Labor Market Crackdown: Authorities identified 10,140 undeclared workers in 2026, with 6,722 already brought into legal employment; informality fell to 17.3% in 2025 from 23.0% in 2023, but agriculture, construction, trade and industry remain priorities. Energy & Utilities Performance: Premier Energy reported 27% y/y growth in normalised EBITDA in H1 2026 to EUR 79m, with revenue up 10% normalised (EUR 877m), driven by renewables and efficiency, though Moldova tariff deviations were a factor. Local Business & Safety: A fire broke out at the entrance to Chisinau’s Central Market after an explosion, prompting the highest-level emergency response. Regional Trade Risk: Russia struck the Orlivka ferry crossing on the Ukraine-Romanian border with drones, temporarily suspending processing and rerouting vehicles—another hit to cross-border logistics. EU/Regional Context: Romania closes its National Recovery plan with a shortfall, having drawn under 13bn euros of nearly 30bn allocated.

OSCE Leadership in Moldova: Christopher W. Smith took office as Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and will also act as mediator in the Transnistrian settlement process, aiming to boost confidence-building and practical cooperation between Chisinau and Tiraspol. Energy Connectivity: Romanian officials renewed calls to end “energy blackmail” by accelerating transport and energy links, including progress on interconnection projects with Moldova and Ukraine. Migration Enforcement: A Frontex-coordinated operation across 17 countries led to 112 arrests for suspected migrant smuggling, 60 cases of document fraud, and 3,137 irregular migrants detected along the Western Balkans route. Local Business & Safety: A fire and explosion damaged the entrance to Chisinau’s Central Market, prompting emergency response at the highest level. Household Costs: Moldova’s business community is watching rising gas prices closely, with bread singled out as the most sensitive consumer product. Education Support: Chisinau will give about 8,000 children 700 lei each for the start of the school year, plus free public transport passes for primary students. Security Tech: Terra Drone began developing a C-UAS system to protect critical infrastructure from malicious drones, building on interceptor and autonomous-flight technologies. Diplomacy & Trade: Turkey is preparing a plan to restore safe Black Sea grain transport, discussing a mechanism similar to the 2022–2023 grain corridor.

Budget Watch: Moldova’s 2026 state budget deficit is set to rise to 23.07 billion lei, with higher spending driven by debt service costs, social obligations and reduced foreign grant aid. Energy & Costs: Moldova extends a high-alert regime in the energy/hydrology sector, while Romania prolongs its energy crisis measures—both moves underline how hydrology and winter demand are shaping prices. Tax & Fuel Policy: Romania cuts diesel excise taxes again, while Moldova is preparing VAT/excise changes for goods imported by Transnistrian economic agents and gradually standardizing that tax regime. Trade & Industry: A Moldovan textile export cluster, Sorintex, is showcasing how garment firms coordinate for large orders—an example of how clustering can help exporters scale. Security & Business Risk: Reports highlight Russia-linked financial and influence schemes, including Ilan Shor’s role in a crypto network tied to sanctions circumvention. Local Economy: A fire broke out at the entrance to Chisinau’s Central Market, disrupting a key retail hub. Culture & Identity: President Maia Sandu marked Romanian Language Day, reinforcing the language push that also matters for tourism, education and public life.

EU Enlargement Watch: Iceland’s voters rejected restarting EU accession talks in a tight referendum (52.8% No to 47.2% Yes), with fisheries and sovereignty concerns beating geopolitical arguments tied to US pressure over Greenland. Moldova Budget Pressure: Moldova’s 2026 state budget deficit is set to rise to 23.07 billion lei as “unplanned” spending grows, driven by higher debt-service costs, social obligations and weaker grant support. Tax & Fuel Costs: Romania is cutting diesel excise taxes again, while Moldova is preparing fuel and VAT-related increases; Moldova’s finance ministry also explains VAT/excise changes for farmers and diesel. Sanctions & Finance Risks: Investigations keep spotlighting Ilan Shor’s Russia-linked crypto network as a way to route money around Western sanctions. Water & Business Impact: Drought warnings persist: Dniester and Prut flows are far below normal, with codes Orange/Red urging rational water use by households and economic agents. Digital Banking: Iute Group reports strong H1 results and continued rollout of its digital banking platform, including Moldova’s Energbank transformation. Local Economy: Moldova’s “Local Product 2026” exhibition drew 300+ manufacturers, including a record-breaking sour cherry pie.

Romania–Moldova Tax Clash: A Romanian lawmaker says Romania is cutting diesel excise taxes again (another 25% from Sept 1, after a 20% cut on Aug 13) to ease prices, while Moldova is preparing higher fuel taxes and VAT increases from Sept 1—raising the cost pressure on households and business. EU/Infrastructure Funding: Romania is set to open a new 47-km A7 motorway segment on Aug 31, tied to a €1.5bn National Recovery and Resilience Plan tranche, underscoring how EU funds keep moving through late deadlines. Moldova Energy & Water Stress: Moldova extends high-alert in energy and hydrology as drought shrinks Dniester and Prut flows to 10–30% of normal in parts, urging rational water use by economic agents. Finance Watch: The National Bank of Moldova reports foreign exchange reserves at a new all-time high, boosting leu stability and import coverage. Digital Economy: Moldova approved drone/U-space rules to expand commercial drone services with coordination procedures aligned to EU aviation standards. Sanctions & Crypto Risk: Investigations say Ilan Shor is central to Russia’s crypto-based payments network used to bypass Western sanctions, a reminder of financial spillovers into the region.

Sanctions-Evasion Finance: A new investigation says Moldovan fugitive Ilan Shor has become a key Kremlin-linked figure in a crypto payment network (A7A5), helping Russian firms move money internationally despite Western restrictions. EU/Regional Trade & Policy: Moldova’s National Bank reported foreign exchange reserves hitting an all-time high, while the government moves to standardize VAT/excise rules for goods imported by Transnistrian economic operators and extends/adjusts tax measures affecting businesses. Energy & Costs: Europe’s gas reserves are at a 13-year low ahead of winter, and Moldova continues managing fuel supply after recent diesel/petrol imports helped ease shortages. Water Stress: Drought warnings intensify: Code Orange/Red issued for multiple rivers, with flows down to around 10–30% of normal, urging rational use by households and businesses. Digital Economy: Iute Group says it’s pushing ahead with digital banking across Southeast Europe, including Moldova’s Energbank transformation. Aviation & Drones: Moldova approved U-space drone rules to expand commercial drone operations safely. Local Business & Food: “Local Product 2026” drew 300+ manufacturers, including a record 9.2-meter sour cherry pie in Chișinău. Social & Consumer: CNAS begins September pension/social benefit payments; ANSA reiterates food labels must be in Romanian.