17‑Member Panel Approved to Resolve Trade Disputes with Moldova

What the document is about
The European Union (EU) and the Republic of Moldova have an Association Agreement that, among other things, sets up a system for resolving trade disputes. Under this agreement the parties must agree on a list of at least 15 people who can act as arbitrators. The EU and Moldova have already agreed on a draft list of 17 candidates (6 from the EU, 5 from Moldova, and 6 neutral chairpersons). The Council of the EU is now adopting a decision that tells the EU’s representatives in the Association Committee to support this draft list.

How the problem is being solved

1. The Council adopts a decision that adopts the draft list of 17 arbitrators.
2. The decision confirms that the EU’s position is to support the list.
3. The decision will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
4. The decision takes effect on the day it is adopted (26 November 2025).

What changes as a result of this document

• The EU’s position in the Association Committee is formally set to support the list of arbitrators.
• The list of 17 arbitrators (6 EU, 5 Moldovan, 6 neutral chairpersons) is officially established.
• The decision is published and becomes law immediately.
• The legal basis for the decision is Article 207 TFEU (common commercial policy) together with Article 218(9) TFEU (procedural basis for positions taken on the Union’s behalf).