AGP Executive Report

Cybercrime Cooperation: Moldova will speed up access to electronic evidence in cross-border criminal cases after Parliament voted in first reading to ratify the Council of Europe’s second Additional Protocol to the Cybercrime Convention. Emergency Tech: A new law will regulate eCall in Moldova, enabling automatic calls to 112 after serious crashes and sending location data to emergency centers. Education Modernization: The government approved EIB-backed financing to modernize 20 schools, including lab upgrades, math classrooms, digital infrastructure, and energy-efficiency works. STEM Skills Boost: Scholarships for students across specialties rise by at least 40% from September, with bigger increases for STEAM, medicine, and priority fields. Digital Services & Identity: Belgium selected Zetes to support qualified e-signatures integrated into its MyGov wallet, aligning with EU digital identity wallet rules. Digital Marketing: Google appointed Coob Ads as its official Google Ads sales representative in Moldova (plus four other markets), aiming to expand localized ad support. Public Health: Moldova confirmed a Salmonella Enteritidis food-poisoning outbreak tied to events at a Chisinau hotel, with lab results for 12 patients. Road Safety & Policy: Parliament also moved to regulate the 112 system’s automatic emergency calling for road accidents. Human Rights Enforcement: Harsher penalties for human trafficking: suspended execution won’t apply to aggravated forms, tightening sanctions and victim protections.

Innovation & R&D Services: France-headquartered G.A.C. Group acquired Romanian innovation-advisory firm CRIUS Consulting, integrating it into its Innovation unit with offices in Romania and Moldova. Digital Marketing: Google named Coob Ads its Official Google Ads Sales Representative in Moldova (plus Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan), expanding localized support for advertisers. Education Modernization: Moldova approved an EIB-backed financing contract to modernize 20 “model schools” (over €51.5m total: €40m loan, €3.5m grant, €8m EU Growth Plan), including lab upgrades, digital infrastructure, and energy-efficiency works starting in 2027. STEM Scholarships: Starting Sept. 1, student scholarships rise by at least 40%, with STEAM increases of 50% and higher support for priority fields. Energy & Heating Security: Moldova signed/advanced World Bank and Ministry plans to prepare modernization of Chișinău’s heating system, including feasibility work for a new high-efficiency combined-cycle cogeneration plant (~250 MW electric, ~180 MW thermal). Public Health: Health authorities confirmed a Salmonella Enteritidis food-poisoning outbreak tied to events at a Chisinau hotel, with 12 lab-confirmed cases among 36 injured. Climate Impact: A major Europe heatwave is pushing temperatures above 35°C, with Moldova among the affected countries. Defense & Safety Tech: Moldova will receive over 100 Roshel armored vehicles via an EU grant (deliveries by May 2027), while sapper teams neutralized 21 WWII explosive devices in June.

EU integration & reforms: Moldova is described as a “top performer” on the European path, with official membership negotiations for Moldova and Ukraine moving forward after the political green light. Digital & ads market: Google appoints Coob Ads as its official Google Ads sales representative in Moldova (plus Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan and Georgia), aiming to boost localized digital growth. Education modernization: The government approved an EIB-backed contract to modernize 20 “model schools” with €51.5m total funding, including lab upgrades and digital infrastructure. Energy & heating: Moldova and the World Bank signed a $1.7m grant to prepare modernization of Chișinău’s heating system, supporting a shift toward more efficient combined heat and power. Public health: Moldova’s Health Ministry confirmed a Salmonella Enteritidis food poisoning outbreak at a Chisinau hotel, with 12 lab-confirmed cases among 36 affected. Safety & demining: National Army sapper teams neutralized 21 WWII explosive devices in June, continuing demining across multiple districts. Defense procurement: Moldova signed a deal for 100+ Roshel armored vehicles (€50m EU grant via the European Peace Facility), with deliveries due by May 2027. STEM/innovation culture: Starmus VIII announced Brian May and Rick Wakeman for the 2026 science communication festival, with Moldovan violinist Rusanda Panfili joining the lineup. Climate risk: A major Europe heatwave is pushing temperatures above 35°C, with Moldova among the affected countries.

Education & Energy Modernization: Moldova’s Government approved an EIB-backed financing contract to modernize 20 schools nationwide, with €51.5m total value (a €40m favorable EIB loan plus grants and EU Growth Plan support). Work starts in 2027 and includes insulation, heating upgrades, lab renovations, accessibility, and digital infrastructure. Digital Economy: Google named Coob Ads its official Google Ads Sales Representative in Moldova (along with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan) starting July 1, 2026—aimed at localized support for advertisers and agencies. Heating System Upgrade: Moldova and the World Bank signed a US$1.7m grant to prepare modernization of Chișinău’s heating system under RESHAPE-Moldova, including studies and technical documentation for a new high-efficiency combined-cycle cogeneration plant. Public Health Alert: Moldova’s Health Ministry confirmed a Salmonella Enteritidis food poisoning outbreak in Chisinau after events at Radisson Blu Leogrand, with 12 lab-confirmed cases among 36 affected. Climate Pressure: A Europe-wide heatwave continues to hit the region; forecasts include temperatures above 35°C in Moldova and neighboring countries, with health and school disruptions reported across Europe.

Energy & Infrastructure: Moldova and the World Bank signed a non-repayable US$1.7 million grant to prepare modernization of Chișinău’s heating system, including studies and technical documentation for a new high-efficiency combined-heat-and-power cogeneration plant (about 250 MW electric, 180 MW thermal), aimed at cutting fuel use, costs, and greenhouse emissions, with funded work due by end-2027. Climate & Public Health: A record-breaking European heatwave is pushing extreme temperatures eastward; AFP reports over 95 million people in Europe face 35C+ Tuesday, with Moldova among the countries expected to cross that threshold, while WHO cites more than 1,300 excess deaths since 21 June. Digital & Business Tech: Moldova’s MIDIA digital maturity tool is being integrated into BizRadar, helping entrepreneurs assess their digitalization level and plan transformation steps. Agritech: The BERRIES project backs berry growers with weather stations and other tech to improve irrigation efficiency and resilience under harsher conditions. EU Integration: EU enlargement talks move forward as the EU-Moldova Investment Conference highlights reform progress and unlocked investment linked to the 1.9 billion euro growth plan.

Energy Modernization: Moldova’s Ministry of Energy and the World Bank (IBRD) signed a US$1.7M grant to prepare Termoelectrica’s new high-efficiency combined heat and power plant for Chișinău, including studies, environmental and social assessments, and technical documentation under RESHAPE-Moldova. Climate & Public Health: A record-breaking European heatwave is pushing tens of millions—including Moldova—toward extreme temperatures, with scientists warning such June conditions are “virtually impossible” without climate change and WHO reporting 1,300+ excess deaths since 21 June. Digital Transformation: MIDIA is being integrated into BizRadar to help Moldovan entrepreneurs assess and improve their digital maturity using a standardized approach. AI in Software: Appsfactory promotes an “AI Development Lifecycle” that replaces traditional sequential SDLC management with an agent-first model for faster, governed delivery. Healthcare Cooperation: Belgium plans to expand support for Moldova’s healthcare system, focusing on resilience and capacity building for prevention and emergency response. Agritech: The BERRIES project backs berry growers with weather stations and biofertilizer methods, aiming to boost yields and resilience under harsher conditions.

Digital Ecosystem: Moldova’s MIDIA tool is being integrated into BizRadar, so more entrepreneurs can benchmark their digital maturity and get tailored recommendations for transformation. Cyber Safety: ARCOM and ICT industry groups discussed how social engineering fuels scams, stressing that safer digitalization depends on both regulation and citizens’ digital literacy. Energy & Food Tech: Agrivoltaics is highlighted as a way to meet rising electricity demand without sacrificing farmland—an approach Moldova can watch as it weighs climate and agriculture pressures. Agritech Funding: The BERRIES project backs berry growers with weather stations and biofertilizer methods, while vocational schools modernize demonstration plots to spread sustainable practices. Sanctions Enforcement: Moldova says investigators uncovered an alleged export scheme of dual-use equipment linked to Russian military aircraft, underscoring ongoing pressure on enforcement. EU-Moldova Business: A Moldovan delegation met Austrian officials in Vienna to expand cooperation in industry, logistics, energy, transport, IT and digitalization, with a planned Moldovan-Austrian economic forum in September. Heat Risk: Europe’s record heatwave is driving excess deaths and emergency strain, and Moldova is among countries issued top-level heat alerts as extreme temperatures spread east.

MoldATSA Accountability: Education Minister Dan Perciun says the MoldATSA scandal was a “systemic error” and a failure to react and investigate in time, calling for responsibility across the management chain and state oversight bodies. Memory & Law: A draft law would make denial or minimization of the 1946–1947 Soviet famine criminally punishable, with duties for authorities to research, preserve archives, and teach the tragedy. Digital Economy: MIDIA is being integrated into BizRadar to help Moldovan entrepreneurs measure digital maturity and plan transformation steps. Cyber Safety: ARCOM and ICT industry groups focus on fighting phone scams by boosting digital literacy and coordinating tech and regulatory safeguards against social engineering. Agrivoltaics for Energy & Food: Research highlights agrivoltaics as a way to produce electricity with solar while keeping land for crops, aiming to ease both energy demand and land-use pressure. EU Tech & Identity: Mastercard launches a Digital Country Partnership in Moldova, targeting digital identity, remote onboarding, and EUDI Wallets. Sanctions Enforcement: Moldova’s SIS and prosecutors report dismantling an alleged export network of dual-use equipment to Russia’s military industry, including claims of mislabeling in customs. Heatwave Impact: Europe’s record-breaking heatwave is driving excess deaths and emergency strain, with Moldova among countries issuing top-level heat alerts.

Digital Moldova: Mastercard is launching a Digital Country Partnership in Moldova, aiming to speed up digital identity and payments, remote onboarding, and the rollout of European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallets, building on Moldova’s eIDAS-compliant EVO 2.0 wallet and the push to move more public services online. Sanctions & Tech Security: Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service and prosecutors say they uncovered an alleged export route for dual-use aircraft-related components to Russia, involving mislabeling as “waste processing” and shipments worth over 21 million lei. Agritech for Climate Resilience: The BERRIES project is funding growers in Mana with weather stations and other agricultural technologies, plus upgrades to vocational training plots in Nisporeni and Svetly to spread sustainable practices. Energy Infrastructure: Moldova’s Energy Ministry published details of a planned ~100 MW gas-fired power plant with U.S. partners, outlining feasibility work, site evaluation, financing terms, and technology integration. EU Integration & Skills: Moldova is building a network of trainers to promote multilingual education, training specialists in CLIL and modern methods across dozens of schools. Health & Climate Shock (Europe-wide): A record-breaking heatwave is driving excess deaths and emergency strain across Europe, with Moldova among countries issuing top-level heat alerts as temperatures push east.

Heatwave Health & Infrastructure: A record-breaking European heatwave is moving east, with Germany hitting 41.5°C and officials warning of more extreme temperatures; France reports about 1,000 excess deaths since June 24, mostly among people 65+, while hospitals face surges and some countries even shut nuclear reactors over cooling-water risks. Moldova Climate Alerts: As the heat spreads, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Balkan states issue top-level heat warnings, underscoring how quickly conditions are worsening across the region. Moldova Energy Planning: Moldova’s Energy Ministry published details of a planned ~100 MW gas-fired power plant, backed by U.S. partners, outlining feasibility work, site evaluation, and potential financing steps to diversify generation and cut import dependence. Digital Identity Push: Mastercard launched a Digital Country Partnership in Moldova focused on digital identity and payments, including support for the EUDI Wallets and remote onboarding, building on Moldova’s EVO 2.0 eID wallet. Sanctions Enforcement: Moldova’s SIS and prosecutors say they uncovered an alleged export route of dual-use equipment to Russia’s military industry, including mislabeling in customs declarations. Education & Multilingual Training: Moldova is building a network of trainers for multilingual education, using CLIL methods and international expertise to scale teacher development across pilot institutions. Local Nature Spotlight: A lawmaker highlighted Orhei National Park’s protected landscapes and limestone gorges, pointing to Moldova’s conservation and tourism potential.

Climate & Health: Europe’s record-breaking heatwave is intensifying, with temperatures pushing past 40°C and nearly 200 million people facing extreme heat; Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic set new all-time highs, while hospitals report surges in emergency calls and some countries even shut nuclear reactors over cooling-water risks. Moldova Tech & Digital Identity: Moldova is moving ahead on digital public services with Mastercard’s Digital Country Partnership, targeting digital identity, remote onboarding and support for the European Digital Identity Wallets, alongside the EVO 2.0 eIDAS-compliant wallet rollout. Energy Infrastructure: Moldova’s Energy Ministry published details of a planned ~100 MW gas-fired power plant framework with U.S. partners, aiming to diversify generation and improve system flexibility. Security & Dual-Use Tech: Moldova’s SIS and prosecutors say they disrupted an alleged export scheme of dual-use electrical-signal control systems to Russia’s military aircraft industry, including claims of mislabeling and missing export permits. Education & Multilingual Skills: Moldova is building a network of trainers to expand multilingual education using CLIL, with specialists trained by experts from Romania, Estonia and Italy. AI Research Collaboration: Researchers from Moldova and Romanian universities are set to study how AI can support sustainable growth and social cohesion policy. EU/Regional Policy: Moldova and Austria are preparing an economic forum in Vienna to deepen cooperation in industry, logistics, energy, transport and digitalization.

Digital Identity & Payments: Moldova launched EVO 2.0 and signed a Digital Country Partnership with Mastercard, aiming at digital identity, remote onboarding and support for the EU EUDI Wallets. Biometrics Security: A Moldova-linked expert discussion warns that biometric injection attacks can’t be stopped by “liveness” or deepfake checks alone, pushing for stronger detection stacks and repeated testing. Sanctions Enforcement: Moldova’s SIS and prosecutors dismantled an alleged scheme exporting dual-use electrical signal control systems to Russia, allegedly misdeclared as waste-processing equipment and tied to sanctioned aircraft-linked entities. Energy Infrastructure: The Energy Ministry published a memorandum for a ~100 MW gas-fired power plant with U.S. partners SBCC and Wheeler Machinery, focused on feasibility, site work and financing pathways. Agri-Food Modernization: Moldova approved negotiations for a €150m EIB loan under “Livada Moldovei II” to upgrade horticulture, processing, post-harvest infrastructure, digitalization and irrigation. Emergency Tech: Government approved draft rules for eCall in Moldova, enabling vehicles in serious crashes to automatically contact 112 with location data. EU Connectivity: The European Commission unveiled a Connectivity Agenda Platform to mobilize up to €2bn for transport, border and digital connectivity across the Black Sea and South Caucasus. Local Tech & STEM: Moldova startups took part in VivaTech’s competition, with winners spanning productivity, language learning and QR-based ordering solutions. Sports & Community: Moldova hosted the second stage of the Rugby Europe Sevens Championship, with teams competing for qualification to the 2027 European Games.

Digital Identity & Payments: Moldova launched EVO 2.0 and signed a Digital Country Partnership with Mastercard, aiming to expand digital identity, remote onboarding, and EUDI Wallets. Biometrics & Fraud Defense: An expert panel clarified Moldova’s IAD procurement, stressing that biometric injection attacks need a full defense stack and repeated independent testing. Cybersecurity & Dual-Use Controls: Moldova’s SIS and prosecutors dismantled an alleged illegal export network supplying dual-use technology to Russia’s military industry, with shipments reportedly worth over $1.2M. Energy Infrastructure: The Energy Ministry published and advanced plans for a ~100 MW gas-fired power plant with U.S. partners, while also preparing a €150M EIB-backed “Livada Moldovei II” push for agri-food modernization. Public Services Tech: Moldova approved eCall implementation so vehicles involved in serious crashes can automatically call 112 and send location data. EU Connectivity: The European Commission unveiled a Connectivity Agenda Platform to mobilize up to €2B for transport and digital connectivity across the Black Sea and South Caucasus, including Moldova. Local Tech Ecosystem: Three Moldovan startups (SELFTALK, LyricFluent, Oto) reached Europe’s VivaTech competition finals, showing momentum in AI, language tech, and QR-based services.

Energy Infrastructure: Moldova’s Energy Ministry has published a memorandum on a planned ~100 MW gas-fired power plant, signed in autumn 2025 with U.S. firms SBCC and Wheeler Machinery, outlining feasibility work, site evaluation, financing models and Caterpillar gas generator technology—while stressing the deal is a cooperation framework, not a binding build order. EU-Backed Modernization: The government approved negotiations and an EIB financing contract for €150 million under “Livada Moldovei II,” targeting horticulture, viticulture, processing, post-harvest infrastructure, digitalization and irrigation, with about 90% for micro, small and medium enterprises and the rest for research, education and food safety. Road Safety Tech: Moldova will implement an eCall system that automatically calls 112 after serious crashes and sends key vehicle/location data; the government approved the draft law to set the legal basis for later technical rules. AI for Policy & Society: Researchers from Moldova’s Academy of Economic Studies and State University of Moldova will study how AI can support sustainable growth (the 3E economy-energy-environment model) and how to strengthen social cohesion in Romania and Moldova. Public Sector Pay Reform: President Maia Sandu outlined a unified public sector salary law meant to set pay by responsibility and job complexity, with World Bank input, and argued current imbalances leave some senior roles underpaid. Digital Media & Youth Creativity: Bulgaria’s BTA and the Harlequin Association will partner on a youth media festival that explicitly pushes AI tools for creating film and digital arts. Education & Staffing: The Education Ministry launched a program to recruit young teachers under 35 with targeted signing bonuses, including higher support for rural placements in shortage subjects. Cyber-Resilience in Europe: The European Commission proposed stronger mandates for Europol and Eurojust and updates to investigation and data rules to tackle cross-border, digital and AI-enabled serious crime.

Energy Infrastructure: Moldova’s Energy Ministry published a memorandum with US firms SBCC and Wheeler Machinery on a ~100 MW gas-fired power plant, aiming to diversify generation, boost grid flexibility, and cut import dependence during peak demand. Agri-Food Modernization: The government approved talks and an EIB financing contract for “Livada Moldovei II,” a €150 million package to modernize horticulture, processing, post-harvest infrastructure, digitalization, irrigation, and support SMEs, research, and food safety. Road Safety Tech: Moldova will implement the eCall system via a draft law, enabling vehicles in serious crashes to automatically call 112 and send location data to speed emergency response. EU Integration & Security: At the EU–Moldova Summit, President Maia Sandu said negotiations are set to open across chapter clusters, while the EU also backed deeper security cooperation; separately, the European Commission proposed stronger Europol/Eurojust mandates and updates to investigation and data rules to tackle cross-border digital crime. Reintegration Talks: Chisinau proposed a late-July 1+1 meeting with Tiraspol to discuss the Convergence Fund and its operating mechanism. Digital Governance & Law Enforcement: Moldova and Bulgaria approved an interior cooperation memorandum covering cybercrime, disinformation, forensic science, border management, and training. Education Inclusion: The Education Ministry introduced special conditions for Roma students, including increased scholarships and reserved access.

EU–Moldova Accession: At the second EU–Moldova Summit in Brussels, Maia Sandu and EU leaders reaffirmed that Moldova’s future is in the EU, with accession negotiations moving beyond the first “Fundamental Values” cluster and reforms tied to rule of law, rights, and anti-corruption results. Agri-Tech Finance: The government approved talks and a financing contract with the EIB for the €150m “Livada Moldovei II” project to modernize horticulture, processing, post-harvest infrastructure, irrigation, and support research and food safety. Emergency Tech: Moldova will implement the eCall system so vehicles involved in serious crashes can automatically call 112 and send location data, aiming to speed up rescue response. Border & Digital Security: Customs and the Border Police signed an updated cooperation agreement to improve information exchange and coordinated border management. Cyber Resilience (Regional lesson): Romania’s hospital ransomware response—disconnecting facilities and relying on backups—highlights why healthcare IT continuity planning matters for Moldova too. Startup Spotlight: Three Moldovan startups (SELFTALK, LyricFluent, Oto) competed at VivaTech’s Europe-wide challenge, showing local momentum in AI, edtech, and digital services. Identity & Info War: A Romanian parliamentary initiative on union with Moldova triggered sharp reactions in Chisinau and Moscow, with analysts pointing to identity themes as tools in information warfare. Public Policy & Inclusion: Moldova’s education ministry introduced special conditions for Roma students, including reserved places and scholarships.