History of Moldova in Timeline

Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordering Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. Its area spans 33,843 sq km, with a population of 2.38 million. The unrecognized breakaway state of Transnistria lies along its eastern border with Ukraine. Moldova is a parliamentary republic with its capital and largest city, Chișinău, serving as its cultural and commercial hub.

1917: Bessarabia became an autonomous state

During the 1917 Russian Revolution, Bessarabia briefly became an autonomous state within the Russian Republic.

1917: Russian and Soviet Influence

During the period of 1812-1917, Moldovans were influenced by Russian administrative control and by ethnic Russian immigration.

February 1918: Bessarabia declared independence

In February 1918, Bessarabia declared its independence from Russia, later integrating into Romania.

1918: Bessarabia united with Romania

In 1918, Bessarabia became independent as the Moldavian Democratic Republic and then united with Romania following the decision of the Parliament (Sfatul Țării).

1924: Moldavian autonomous republic established

In 1924, Soviet Russia established the Moldavian autonomous republic within the Ukrainian SSR, on territories east of Bessarabia.

1939: Radio Moldova broadcasting

Since 1939, Radio Moldova, the first publicly funded national radio broadcaster, has been broadcasting from Chișinău.

1940: Soviet Union reclaimed Bessarabia

During the Second World War, the Soviet Union occupied Bessarabia and reclaimed it from Romania in 1940. It joined the Union as the Moldavian SSR.

1940: Romania ceded Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina

In 1940, Romania ceded Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union, leading to the creation of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (Moldavian SSR) as a consequence of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.

1940: Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University of Chișinău Established

The Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University of Chișinău was established in 1940.

1944: Soviet influence

During the period of 1944-89, Moldovans were influenced by Soviet administrative control and by ethnic Russian immigration.

1945: Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy Established

The Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy was established in 1945.

1946: Moldova State University Established

The Moldova State University was established in 1946.

1961: Academy of Sciences of Moldova Established

The Academy of Sciences of Moldova was established in 1961.

January 1963: Lowest recorded temperature

On January 20, 1963, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Moldova was −35.5 °C (−31.9 °F) in Brătușeni, Edineț county.

1964: Technical University of Moldova Established

The Technical University of Moldova was established in 1964.

1969: Earliest Wines in Mileștii Mici Collection

The earliest wines in the Mileștii Mici collection date to 1969.

1972: Release of Lăutarii

In 1972, the film "Lăutarii", written and directed by Emil Loteanu, was released.

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1988: Nicolae Juravschi at Seoul Games

In 1988, Nicolae Juravschi, representing the Soviet Union, won two medals at the Seoul Games.

1990: Population Decline Since 1990

According to Balkan Insight, Moldova's population has fallen by almost 33% since 1990.

1990: War of Transnistria

After the 1990–1992 War of Transnistria, Moldova sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Transnistria region by working with Romania, Ukraine, and Russia.

1990: Ecological Movement of Moldova founded

In 1990, the Ecological Movement of Moldova was founded as a national, non-governmental, nonprofit organization to restore Moldova's damaged natural environment.

1990: Transnistria under breakaway government control

Since 1990, the strip of Moldovan territory on the east bank of the Dniester has been under the de facto control of the breakaway government of Transnistria.

August 1991: Moldavian SSR declared independence as Moldova

On 27 August 1991, the Moldavian SSR declared independence and took the name Moldova, amidst the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

1991: Moldova declared independence

In 1991, Moldova declared independence following the dissolution of the USSR.

1991: Declaration of Independence

Since declaring independence in 1991, Moldova has participated in UN peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan, and Georgia.

1991: Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova Established

The Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova was established in 1991.

October 1992: Ratification of Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe

On October 30, 1992, Moldova ratified the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, which establishes limits on conventional military equipment and provides for the destruction of weapons exceeding those limits.

1992: War of Transnistria

After the 1990–1992 War of Transnistria, Moldova sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Transnistria region by working with Romania, Ukraine, and Russia.

1992: Moldova became a member state

In 1992, Moldova became a member state of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

1992: Independence from the Soviet Union

In 1992, Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union and began transitioning to a market economy.

1992: Transnistria's ties with Russia

Since 1992, Transnistria has pursued close diplomatic, military, and economic ties with Russia, with more than a thousand Russian soldiers stationed in the region.

March 1994: Partnership for Peace

On March 16, 1994, Moldova joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Partnership for Peace.

October 1994: Accession to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

In October 1994, Moldova acceded to the provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in Washington, D.C.

1994: Moldova became a participant in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme

In 1994, Moldova became a participant in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme.

1994: Constitution of Moldova sets government framework

In 1994, the Constitution of Moldova set the framework for the government, requiring a two-thirds parliamentary majority to amend it.

1994: First match of the Moldova national football team

In 1994, the Moldova national football team played its first match.

1994: Constitution of Moldova adopted

In 1994, the constitution of Moldova was adopted, establishing the country as a parliamentary republic.

1994: Olympic debut

Moldova made its Olympic debut at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

May 1995: Moldova signed CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Convention

In May 1995, Moldova signed the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Convention to become a member.

July 1995: Moldova admitted to the Council of Europe

In July 1995, Moldova was admitted to the Council of Europe.

1996: Moldova joined the Francophonie

Moldova joined the Francophonie in 1996.

1999: Moldova gains access to the Danube

In 1999, Moldova acquired a 0.45-kilometer river frontage to the Danube from Ukraine, transforming Giurgiulești into a river port providing access to international waters.

2000: Constitutional change regarding presidential election

In 2000, there was a constitutional change adopted regarding the presidential election.

2001: President elected by Parliament

Between 2001 and 2015, the President of Moldova was elected by the Moldovan Parliament, requiring the support of three-fifths of the deputies (at least 61 votes).

2001: Moldova joined the World Trade Organization

In 2001, Moldova joined the World Trade Organization.

2002: Casa Mariorei established

Casa Mariorei, a domestic violence shelter in Chișinău, was founded in 2002 and provides shelter, healthcare, legal advice, and psychosocial support for native Moldovan, immigrant, and refugee women.

2002: Moldova joined the International Criminal Court

In 2002, Moldova joined the International Criminal Court.

2002: Moldovans in Ukraine

In 2002, the number of Moldovans in Ukraine was approximately 258,600.

2003: O-Zone's prominence

In 2003, the Moldovan band O-Zone rose to fame with their hit song "Dragostea Din Tei".

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2004: Moldova President's Cup cycling race

The Moldova President's Cup, the most prestigious cycling race, was first held in 2004.

August 2005: Reintroduction of European Wood Bison

Several days before Moldova's Independence Day on August 27, 2005, three European bison were reintroduced to Moldova from Białowieża Forest in Poland, marking the return of a species extinct since the 18th century.

2005: EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine established

At the end of 2005, the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) was established at the joint request of the presidents of Moldova and Ukraine to assist in approximating border and customs procedures to EU standards and to combat cross-border crime.

2005: Eurovision debut

In 2005, Moldova began participating in the Eurovision Song Contest. The band Zdob și Zdub represented the country, finishing sixth.

2005: Guinness World Record for Mileștii Mici

Since 2005, Mileștii Mici has retained the Guinness World Record for the largest wine cellar by the number of bottles.

May 2007: Natalia Barbu at Eurovision 2007

In May 2007, Natalia Barbu represented Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki with the song "Fight", securing a spot in the final and finishing tenth with 109 points.

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July 2007: Highest recorded temperature

On July 21, 2007, the highest temperature ever recorded in Moldova was 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) in Camenca.

2009: Release of Wedding in Bessarabia

In 2009, "Wedding in Bessarabia", a co-production between Romania, Moldova, and Luxembourg, was released.

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2009: Joining Budapest Convention on Cybercrime

In 2009, Moldova joined the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe.

February 2010: Poland provided support for Moldova's European integration efforts

According to a lending agreement signed in February 2010, Poland provided US$15 million as a component of its support for Moldova in its European integration efforts.

April 2010: Romania offered Moldova development aid

In April 2010, Romania offered Moldova development aid worth €100 million and doubled scholarships for Moldovan students.

September 2010: European Parliament approved a grant of €90 million

In September 2010, the European Parliament approved a grant of €90 million to Moldova to supplement loans and support from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and other sources.

2010: SunStroke Project at Eurovision

In 2010, SunStroke Project with Olia Tira represented Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Run Away".

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2010: Moldovans in Russia

In 2010, the number of Moldovans in Russia was approximately 156,400.

2011: Zdob și Zdub at Eurovision 2011

In 2011, Zdob și Zdub represented Moldova again at the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 12th.

2011: Islamic League of Moldova recognised

In 2011, the Islamic League of Moldova, an NGO, was recognized by the Moldovan Ministry of Justice as representing Moldovan Muslims.

March 2012: Joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and Moldova

In March 2012, the first joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and Moldova concluded with several bilateral agreements in various fields.

2012: Security zone incident raises tensions with Russia

In 2012, a security zone incident resulted in the death of a civilian, raising tensions with Russia.

2012: Russia canceled a decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty

In February 2023, Russia canceled a 2012 decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty.

2012: Border Police under Ministry of Internal Affairs

The Moldovan Border Police, responsible for border security, was a military branch until 2012 when it was placed under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

August 2013: Pipeline Work Begins

In August 2013, work began on a pipeline between Moldova and Romania to break Russia's monopoly on Moldova's gas supplies.

November 2013: Moldova signed an association agreement with the European Union

On 29 November 2013, at a summit in Vilnius, Moldova signed an association agreement with the European Union.

November 2013: Association Agreement drafted

The Association Agreement with the European Union was drafted in Vilnius in November 2013.

June 2014: Moldova signed Association Agreement with the EU

Moldova signed the Association Agreement with the European Union in Brussels on 27 June 2014.

November 2014: US Donation of Humvees and Trailers

On November 12, 2014, the US donated 39 Humvees and 10 trailers, valued at US$700,000, to the 22nd Peacekeeping Battalion of the Moldovan National Army to enhance peacekeeping capabilities.

2014: Eastern Orthodox Christian Faith

According to the 2014 Moldovan census, 90% of the country reported to be of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith.

2014: Russian Language Speakers

As of 2014, approximately 15% of the Moldovan population also speak Russian.

2014: Gagauzia Referendum

In 2014, nearly 99 per cent of Gagauzians voted in a referendum to reject closer links with Europe in favor of joining the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.

2014: Moldovan Census

In 2014, the Moldovan census for the first time collected information about the languages spoken by residents in Moldova.

2015: Romanian Scholarships and Kindergarten Funding

As of 2015, Romania allocates 5,000 scholarships for Moldovan students and funds a program to renovate and equip kindergartens.

2015: President elected by Parliament

Between 2001 and 2015, the President of Moldova was elected by the Moldovan Parliament, requiring the support of three-fifths of the deputies (at least 61 votes).

2015: Increase in agricultural production

Between 2015 and 2022, agricultural production has almost doubled, particularly in vegetable and fruit production.

2015: Carla's Dreams popularity

In 2015, Carla's Dreams, a new musical project, gained popularity in Moldova.

2015: Military Agreement with Romania

In 2015, Moldova signed a military agreement with Romania to strengthen regional security as part of Moldova's military reform strategy and cooperation with its neighbors.

2015: GDP Per Capita

In 2015, Moldova's GDP per capita was $2,749 (USD).

2015: Radu Albot wins ATP doubles title

In 2015, Radu Albot won the ATP doubles title at the Istanbul Open.

2015: Gagauzia Governor Election

In 2015, just over half of Gagauzians voted for the Russian-backed socialist candidate Irina Vlakh as governor.

March 2016: Constitutional Court reverts presidential election method

On 4 March 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled that the 2000 constitutional change regarding the presidential election was unconstitutional, thus reverting to a two-round system direct election.

December 2016: Retirement Age Increase Approved

On 19 December 2016, the Moldovan parliament approved raising the retirement age to 63 years, a reform agreed with the International Monetary Fund.

2016: Carla's Dreams hits charts

In 2016, Carla's Dreams' song "Sub Pielea Mea" reached top charts in Europe, including number one in Moldova and Russia.

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2016: High alcohol consumption

In 2016, Moldova recorded one of the world's highest alcohol consumption rates per capita, at 15.2 litres of pure alcohol.

2016: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights recommendations

In 2016, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights made recommendations on hate crimes.

2016: Adoption of National Cyber Security Programme

Moldova adopted the National Cyber Security Programme for 2016–2020.

2017: Carla's Dreams album

In 2017, Carla's Dreams released their latest album.

2017: SunStroke Project in Eurovision 2017

In 2017, SunStroke Project featured again in the Eurovision entry "Hey Mama", which got third place.

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2018: Energy Supply Composition

In 2018, Moldova's primary energy supply consisted of approximately half natural gas, a quarter oil, and one-fifth solid biomass.

2018: Deaths Exceeding Live-Births

Since 2018, the number of deaths has exceeded the levels of live-births in Moldova.

2019: Children per Women of Childbearing Age

As of 2019, the average number of children per women of childbearing age was 1.78.

2019: Ilan Shor flees to Israel

In 2019, Ilan Șhor, a pro-Russian politician and businessman, fled to Israel after being convicted of fraud and money-laundering.

2019: Bison exchange program

In 2019, Moldova began talks with Belarus regarding a bison exchange programme between the two countries.

2019: Pre-Pandemic Tourism Figures

In 2019, Moldova had 31,000 non-resident tourists before the pandemic.

2019: Healthcare Spending

In 2019, Moldova spent 4.9% of its annual GDP on health care.

2019: Radu Albot wins ATP singles title

In 2019, Radu Albot won the ATP singles title at the Delray Beach Open.

2019: Moldovans in Italy and France

In 2019, the number of Moldovans in Italy was approximately 188,923 and in France, it was 26,300.

2019: Fertility Rate and Birth/Death Rates

In 2019, the total fertility rate per woman in Moldova was 1.78, there were 12.2 live births per 1,000 inhabitants, and 13.7 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index score

Moldova had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 2.2/10, ranking it 158th globally out of 172 countries.

2019: 5G Testing Begins

Testing for 5G began in Moldova in 2019.

2019: Leading causes of death

The leading causes of death in Moldova in 2019 were Ischaemic heart disease, strokes, hypertensive heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers.

November 2020: Maia Sandu elected president

In November 2020, Maia Sandu was elected as the new president of Moldova, becoming the first female elected president.

2020: Maia Sandu elected president

In 2020, Maia Sandu was elected president of Moldova on a pro-Western and anti-corruption platform.

2020: Press Freedom Index

In 2020, Moldova's Press Freedom Index ranking was 89th.

2020: Corruption Perceptions and Press Freedom Ranking

In 2020, Transparency International gave Moldova a Corruption Perceptions Index of 34. Reporters Without Borders ranked Moldova's Press Freedom Index at 89th.

2020: Net Emigration Low

In 2020, net emigration in Moldova fell to a low of 7,000 people.

2020: Infant Mortality Rate

In 2020, the infant mortality rate in Moldova was 8.7 per 1,000 live-births.

2020: Moldovans in Romania

In 2020, the number of Moldovans in Romania was approximately 285,000.

2020: Government Resigned

In 2020, the prime minister and government resigned and the president and parliament failed to form a new government.

2020: End of National Cyber Security Programme

Moldova's National Cyber Security Programme for 2016–2020 ended.

July 2021: Early parliamentary elections

Early parliamentary elections were held in July 2021, resulting in the Party of Action and Solidarity winning a majority.

2021: Agriculture Contribution to Exports

As of 2021, agriculture made up 12% of Moldova's overall exports.

2021: Hate crime statistics for 2021

In 2021, 8 hate crimes were recorded in Moldova, 7 of which reached a successful conviction.

2021: Wine Exports

In 2021, Moldova exported $140 million in wine, becoming the 21st largest exporter of wine in the world. The EU became the main purchaser of Moldovan wines.

2021: Shift in Wine Export Markets

In 2021, Moldova exported more than 120 million liters of wine to European countries, compared to 8.6 million liters to Russia. Russia accounted for only 10 percent of Moldovan wine exports.

2021: GDP Growth Rebound

In 2021, Moldova's annual GDP growth rebounded to 13.9% following the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Zdob și Zdub Eurovision

In 2021, Zdob și Zdub represented Moldova again in the Eurovision Song Contest, achieving a similar result to their 2005 performance.

2021: Russia's plan to destabilise Moldova

In 2021, a document revealed Russia's FSB's Directorate for Cross-Border Cooperation plan to destabilise Moldova, using energy blackmail and political sources.

2021: Digitization laboratory assistance

In 2021, the United States equipped a digitisation laboratory to restore and preserve archive feature and documentary films, representing an important part of Moldova's historical, cultural, and artistic heritage.

2021: Moldovans in Canada

In 2021, the number of Moldovans in Canada was approximately 20,470.

2021: Reduced Gap Between Deaths and Live-Births

Since 2018, the gap between the number of deaths has exceeded the levels of live-births, though the gap has been reduced since 2021.

2021: Comparison of number of deaths

The number of deaths in 2022 fell by 20.5% compared to 2021

March 2022: Moldova signed membership application to join the EU

On 3 March 2022, Moldova signed the membership application to join the EU.

May 2022: Incitement to religious and ethnic hatred made illegal

In May 2022, incitement to religious and ethnic hatred was made illegal in Moldova.

June 2022: Moldova granted EU candidate status

In June 2022, Moldova was granted candidate status for membership in the European Union.

June 2022: Moldova granted candidate status by EU leaders

On 23 June 2022, Moldova was officially granted candidate status by EU leaders.

June 2022: Amendments to the Criminal Code adopted by the Moldovan Parliament

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' 2016 recommendations on hate crimes were largely reflected in amendments to the Criminal Code adopted by the Moldovan Parliament and published on June 3, 2022.

July 2022: Internet usage in Moldova

By July 2022, Moldova had 3 million internet users, representing approximately 76% of the population.

July 2022: Moldova-Film archive digitization

In July 2022, the United Nations Development Programme announced the use of state-of-the-art equipment to transfer over 1,600 films from the Moldova-Film archive for preservation.

August 2022: Starlink Launch in Moldova

Starlink launched in Moldova in August 2022.

October 2022: Defense Minister claims most military equipment is outdated

In October 2022, Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii claimed that 90 percent of the country's military equipment is outdated and of Soviet origin, dating back to the 1960s and 1980s.

October 2022: Meeting with the European Union

In October 2022, EU representatives welcomed developments in Moldova such as the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and the adoption of legislation on hate crime, while encouraging the country to address shortcomings identified by OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission.

2022: Survey on union with Romania

A 2022 survey during the Russian invasion of Ukraine indicated that only 11% of Romania's population supports an immediate union, while over 42% think it is not the moment.

2022: Healthcare Statistics

According to 2022 data, Moldova had 48.4 doctors and 91 units of average medical staff per 10,000 inhabitants. Approximately 53% of those aged 16 and over in urban areas described their own health as 'good' or 'very good'.

2022: Amnesty International report on human rights issues

According to Amnesty International's 2022/23 report, there was a lack of progress in reducing torture and ill-treatment in detention, impunity continued for past human rights violations, new restrictions on public assemblies were introduced, and the rights of LGBTI people were not fully realized.

2022: Human Rights Report of the United States Department of State

According to the Human Rights Report released in 2022 by the United States Department of State, authorities in Moldova investigated reports of human rights abuses and corruption, indicting and detaining several former high-level officials, though none of these cases resulted in conviction by year's end.

2022: Urbanization and Population Density

As of 2022, 43.4% of Moldovans lived in urban areas, and the country's population density was 82.8 inhabitants per 1 km.

2022: United States Department of State Estimate

As of 2022, the United States Department of State estimated that approximately 7% of the non-Orthodox population of Moldova identify with no religion.

2022: Life Expectancy and Fertility Rate

As of 2022, the average life expectancy in Moldova was 71.5 years and the total fertility rate per woman was 1.69.

2022: Increase in agricultural production

Between 2015 and 2022, agricultural production has almost doubled, particularly in vegetable and fruit production.

2022: Rise in Emigration

By 2022, 43,000 more people left Moldova than came, marking a rise in emigration.

2022: Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Transnistria's position on Ukraine's south-western flank and its hosting of more than a thousand Russian soldiers poses a potential threat to Ukraine's war efforts.

2022: Electricity Imports from Romania

In 2022, Moldova began importing electricity from Romania, eliminating the need to buy electricity generated from Russian gas in Transnistria.

2022: Population Decline and Emigration

In 2022, Moldova experienced a population decline with 43,000 more people leaving the country than arriving. Unemployment has remained low at about 3% in 2022.

2022: Moldova submitted a formal EU membership application

In 2022, Moldova submitted a formal membership application to the European Union.

2022: Improvement in Corruption Perceptions Index and Press Freedom Index

In 2022, Moldova's Corruption Perceptions Index improved to 39 points from 34 in 2020, and Reporters Without Borders improved Moldova's Press Freedom Index ranking from 89th in 2020 to 40th.

2022: Economic Collapse and Inflation Surge

In 2022, Moldova's GDP per capita reached $5,562 (USD). The country experienced a significant economic downturn with GDP growth collapsing to −5.9%, and inflation dramatically increased to 28.7% due to an energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Unemployment remained low at 2.3%.

2022: Human Development Index ranking

In 2022, Moldova's Human Development Index ranking was 76th in the world.

2022: Television stations broadcasting licenses removed

In 2022, the Moldovan government revoked the broadcasting licenses of six television stations for disseminating pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

2022: Moldovans in Germany

In 2022, the number of Moldovans in Germany was approximately 122,000.

2022: Overall Number of Deaths

In 2022, the overall number of deaths in Moldova fell by 20.5% compared to 2021.

2022: Increase in Foreign Visitors

In the first quarter of 2022, Moldova saw more foreign visitors than pre-pandemic, going from 31,000 non-resident tourists in 2019 to 36,100 in 2022.

February 2023: Russia canceled a decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty

In February 2023, Russia canceled a 2012 decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty.

February 2023: New Law Criminalizing Separatism

On February 2, 2023, Moldova passed a law that introduces criminal penalties for separatism, including prison terms, as well as penalties for financing and inciting separatism, plotting against Moldova, and collecting or stealing information that could harm the country's sovereignty.

March 2023: Memorandum on Enhancing Moldova's Security Sector

A memorandum dated March 29, 2023, outlined the mission's aim to enhance the resilience of Moldova's security sector in crisis management, cybersecurity, and countering foreign information manipulation and interference. The mission's initial mandate is for two years and will consist of up to 40 police, customs officers, and judicial officials.

March 2023: Romanian as the official language

As of March 2023, Romanian became the only official language of Moldova, with references to the Moldovan language being amended in the constitution and legal bills.

April 2023: Moldova needs $275 million to modernize armed forces

In April 2023, Valeriu Mija, Secretary of State for Defence Policy claimed that Moldova needed $275 million to modernise its armed forces, especially in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

April 2023: EU Partnership Mission in Moldova

On April 24, 2023, the European Union established a Partnership Mission in Moldova through its Common Security and Defence Policy. The mission aims to support the Moldovan government in countering hybrid threats resulting from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

May 2023: Moldova suspended participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States

In May 2023, the Moldovan government announced the immediate suspension of its participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States and its intentions to ultimately withdraw from the organisation entirely.

June 2023: Poland sends military equipment to Moldovan police

In June 2023, Poland sent a transport of military equipment worth €8 million (including drones, laptops, explosive ordnance disposal equipment, and ultrasound equipment) to the Moldovan police to increase the country's internal security.

June 2023: Moldova signed a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association

On 27 June 2023, Moldova signed a comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association.

June 2023: LGBT Pride Parade

On June 18, 2023, approximately 500 LGBT activists and supporters held a Pride parade in Chișinău, requiring less police protection than in previous years.

June 2023: End of Russian Energy Imports

As of June 2023, Moldova no longer imports oil or natural gas from Russia and has gained access to the European Union's joint gas purchasing platform.

July 2023: Evghenia Guțul thanks Ilan Shor

In July 2023, Evghenia Guțul thanked Ilan Shor for his personal and financial support and expressed a desire for deeper diplomatic ties with Russia.

July 2023: Moldova passed legislation removing it from membership in the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly

In July 2023, Moldova passed legislation removing it from membership in the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.

July 2023: Moldova expelled Russian diplomats

In July 2023, Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador and expelled 45 Russian diplomats and embassy staff due to "hostile actions".

July 2023: Creation of Seed Libraries Network

In July 2023, a network of 20 seed libraries comprising over 1,000 seeds was created across Moldova.

October 2023: Banning of media outlets

In October 2023, Orizont TV, ITV, Prime, Publika TV, Canal 2 and Canal 3 were banned for undermining the local elections. A number of Russian media outlets which includes the news agencies TASS and Interfax were also blocked.

December 2023: Accession talks to the EU began

Accession talks to the EU began on 13 December 2023.

December 2023: Formal accession talks began

Formal accession talks began on 13 December 2023.

2023: Fast and Inexpensive Internet

As of 2023, Internet in Moldova is among the fastest and least expensive in the world. The country ranks 3rd in the world by gigabit coverage.

2023: Freedom House "partly free" country ranking

In 2023, Freedom House ranked Moldova as a "partly free" country with a score of 62/100, citing concerns about corruption, political influence, and deficiencies in the justice sector.

2023: Press Freedom Index improves

In 2023, Reporters Without Borders improved Moldova's Press Freedom Index ranking to 28th.

2023: Projected Economic Improvement

The IMF predicts that in 2023 the economy will improve from a 1.5% contraction to a growth of 1.5%.

January 2024: Estimated Population

As of 1 January 2024, Moldova has an estimated population of approximately 2,423,300.

November 2024: Presidential Election Run-Off and EU Referendum

In November 2024, Maia Sandu received 42% of the vote in Moldova's presidential election, while Alexandr Stoianoglo received 26%, leading to a run-off. Simultaneously, in a referendum on joining the EU, a narrow 50.17% voted "yes," with Maia Sandu alleging outside interference.

November 2024: Maia Sandu was re-elected

In the November 2024 presidential election, President Maia Sandu was re-elected with 55% of the vote in the run-off.

2024: Referendum on joining the EU planned

A referendum on joining the EU is planned for autumn 2024.

2024: Ethnic Composition

According to the 2024 national census, ethnic Moldovans made up approximately 77% of the country's population.

2024: Global Innovation Index ranking

As of 2024, Moldova ranks 68th in the world on the Global Innovation Index.

2024: Planned 5G Rollout

Moldova is considering a bid to begin rolling out 5G in 2024.

2024: National Census of Moldova

The most recent national census of Moldova was carried out in 2024 (not including Transnistria).

2024: 2024 Census Results

The results of the 2024 census regarding languages spoken in Moldova showed the following: Moldovan (49.2%), Romanian (31.3%), Russian (11.1%), Gagauz (3.8%), Ukrainian (2.9%), Bulgarian (1.2%), Romani (0.3), and others (0.2%).