HARMONISATION OF ROAD FREIGHT TRANSPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP REGULATION THROUGH THE EU-MOLDOVA AGREEMENT

Abstract

This study analyses the harmonisation of the regulatory framework for road freight transport entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova, in the light of the bilateral Agreement with the European Union on international road freight transport. The rationale lies in the need to assess legislative progress and persistent gaps in the context of Moldova's EU accession candidacy. The study identifies discrepancies between national legislation and the EU acquis, examining market access conditions, authorization requirements, social rules, and safety standards, alongside official statistical data for the period 2020–2025. The methodology combines legal-comparative analysis, examination of primary and secondary legislation, institutional document analysis, and interpretation of data from the National Bureau of Statistics. The comparative analysis of Articles 16–21 of the Road Transport Code No. 150/2014 (as amended by Law No. 423/2023) against Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009 reveals full compliance on financial standing and transport manager (from 01.01.2026), while divergences persist regarding mutual recognition of professional competence certificates and the absence of MSI grading. Transport Community reports confirm that over 65% of the EU transport acquis remains untransposed. NBS data highlight the dominance of road transport and the significance of international traffic. The conclusions emphasize that completing legislative harmonization and strengthening institutional capacity are essential for integrating Moldovan operators into the EU single market.