The history of Moldova is marked by a series of significant events that have shaped its current political and social landscape. The territory of present-day Republic of Moldova was part of various states throughout history, including the Principality of Moldova, which existed from the 14th century until 1859. In 1812, the eastern part of the Principality of Moldova (between the rivers Prut and Nistru), known as Bessarabia, was ceded to the Russian Empire, following the Russo-Turkish War. After the Russian Revolution, Bessarabia declared independence and united with Romania in 1918. During World War II, in 1940, Bessarabia was annexed by the Soviet Union and became the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.
The weakening of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s allowed for the revival of Moldovan national identity and political movements. On August 27, 1991, Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union. However, the region of Transnistria, located on the eastern bank of the Nistru River, declared independence from Moldova in 1990, leading to a brief military conflict in 1992. Transnistria remains a self-declared republic, though it is not recognised by the international community.
The Constitution of Moldova was adopted in 1994, establishing it as a parliamentary republic. The political structure consists of a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government, with a unicameral parliament.
Since gaining independence, Moldova has pursued closer ties with western institutions. It joined the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 1992, and became a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001. Moldova has also been involved in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme and is a member of the Francophonie.
In recent years, Moldova has made significant strides toward European Union integration. In June 2014, the EU and the Republic of Moldova signed an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and the agreement has been in full effect since July 2016. In June 2022, Moldova was granted candidate status for EU membership, and accession negotiations began in December 2023.
Recent reforms in the Republic of Moldova have focused on several key areas, including strengthening the independence and efficiency of the judiciary, enhancing transparency in public administration, and implementing comprehensive anti-corruption measures. These reforms are part of Moldova's commitment to European integration and have been supported by the European Union through various initiatives and funding. Additionally, efforts to improve electoral legislation and ensure fair elections have been crucial in promoting democratic governance within the country. Economic measures focus on achieving fiscal sustainability, enhancing the business environment, and aligning regulatory frameworks with EU standards. Educational reforms in Moldova, on the other hand, have focused recently on creating a more flexible and modern education system that meets current economic and societal needs. Key objectives include improving curriculum quality, and enhancing assessment methods. The reforms also emphasize upgrading vocational and higher education to better align with labour market demands and international standards. Efforts include modernising school infrastructure, implementing new funding models, and promoting research and quality in higher education.