Moldova Sanctions

Total designated: 41 (32 individuals, 9 entities)

In its conclusions of 23 March 2023, the European Council pledged to continue to provide all relevant support to the Republic of Moldova, including to strengthen the country’s resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities by external actors. A threat to democracy and the rule of law, stability and security of the Republic of Moldova is posed by persons who obstruct or undermine the holding of elections and attempt to overthrow the constitutional order, including through acts of violence. The efforts to destabilise the Republic of Moldova increased in particular since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. On 24 April 2023, the Council reached a broad agreement on a new framework for targeted restrictive measures against persons responsible for, supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, and democracy, the rule of law, stability or security in the Republic of Moldova, and persons, entities or bodies associated with them. The measures consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons and entities; additionally, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed. Adopted by: EU.

In view of the Transnistrian conflict in Moldova, on 27 February 2003 the Council of the EU first decided to implement targeted restrictive measures in the form of travel restrictions aimed at those members of the Transnistrian leadership considered to be responsible for the lack of cooperation to promote a political settlement of the conflict. A year later, on 23 February 2004, the Council noted that although negotiations on constitutional changes had started, there had been no substantial progress in the situation regarding the Transnistrian conflict. On 26 August 2004, the Council extended the travel restrictions on a second group of persons: those who are responsible for the design and implementation of the intimidation and closure campaign against Latin-script Moldovan schools in the Transnistrian region of Moldova. On 27 September 2010, in order to encourage progress in reaching a political settlement to the Transnistrian conflict and in view of the progress in restoring the free movement of persons across the administrative boundary of the Transnistrian region, all restrictive measures were suspended. On 27 September 2012, the restrictive measures against the former political leadership were lifted. At the same time, the restrictive measures in relation to the persons responsible for the campaign of intimidation and closure against Latin-script Moldovan schools were extended, but all the individuals under the Latin-school problem were de-listed. Hence, currently the restrictive measures do not target specific persons. Adopted by: EU. No persons or entities are currently designated under this regime.