The Land Code prohibits foreigners from owning land in the Republic of Moldova. The National Action Plan for Moldova’s accession to the European Union does not provide for amendments to the Legislation that would allow persons from other countries to buy land in Moldova. In a statement to TVR Moldova, the Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova noted that his previous statements, made to RLIVE TV, were intentionally distorted by exponents of Russian propaganda. On the other hand, agricultural experts from countries that have already joined community funds point out the benefits that EU countries receive in this regard, including increased subsidies and investments in agriculture, as well as the implementation of mechanisms aimed at facilitating rural development.
On September 27, Janis Mazeiks spoke in the RLIVE TV studio about disinformation regarding the sale of land to foreign citizens. As a result, several controversial politicians manipulated and expressly said that the land would be sold to foreigners, although Janis Mazeiks clearly stated that the subject would be discussed during the negotiations.
Reactions came from Prime Minister Dorin Recean, President Maia Sandu, but also from civil society experts. The Prime Minister gave assurances that no subject that contradicts the national interest of the Republic of Moldova would be negotiated. The Head of State also denied information that the plots of land could be sold to foreign citizens. Also, WatchDog analyst Andrei Curăraru explained that, in his opinion, the Kremlin’s influence agents have launched a disinformation campaign on the subject, and European Union member states such as Romania, Hungary, Latvia, Croatia, Hungary or Poland have either introduced strict rules for such transactions or have completely banned them.
“Far from trying to comment on what diplomats say about the sale of agricultural land in the European Union, we feel obliged to prevent unnecessary panic. Will “land be forcibly sold to foreigners” be the “price” of European integration? The answer is as simple as can be. Do you see hordes of foreigners buying agricultural land in Romania or Bulgaria? Have the countries of Central and Eastern Europe turned into foreign farms? No. Because they negotiated correctly and ensured that investments in agriculture benefit the country and the villages where they come from, Curăraru pointed out. Now, let’s get back to ourselves. Moldova will not be forced to do anything that is not in our national interest. We will negotiate tough and intelligently, just like other countries have done. No one will come and dictate to us how to sell our land, because each country in the EU has protected its farmers and negotiated personalized conditions.
We would like to point out that the latest amendments to the Land Code were approved by Parliament in 2023. At that time, the novelty was that the right of ownership over agricultural or forest land could not be acquired or held by foreign citizens, individuals or legal entities. Moreover, if foreign citizens acquire agricultural or forest land through inheritance, court decision or mortgage, they will be obliged to alienate it within one year from the date of its acquisition.
According to the vice-president of the Romanian Farmers Association (AFR), Ion Cioroianu, who spoke in an interview for Radio Moldova about the experience of the neighboring country and the changes that accession to the EU bloc has brought to agriculture, the increase in subsidies and investments in agriculture are among the most visible effects of accession to the European Union. According to him, in the 17 years since Romania joined the European Union, farmers’ subsidies have increased from 70-80 euros per hectare in 2007 to 150-200 euros in 2024.
“This subsidy is a means of reducing the expenses that farmers make to obtain the harvest on the hectare they cultivate. In Romania, at present, it means around 1000 RON (ed. equivalent to 3900 MDL) per hectare. That means, if we go with the expenses, we standardize them at 4000 RON (ed. equivalent to 15400 MDL) for a hectare of wheat, it means about 25% of the expenses that a farmer makes to produce wheat. Now, we cannot complain about the fact that there is little money,” argues Ion Cioroianu.
In addition to subsidies, the European Union also has another financial mechanism through which it supports farmers – investments in rural development projects. Freedom of movement and access to the largest market, of about 500 million consumers, are some other benefits that membership in the community bloc entails.