As one of the two partner countries of the EU to initial an Association Agreement (including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)) at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, the Republic of Moldova is at a key stage in its European integration process, heard participants in this EU-Moldova Think Tank Dialogue. While Moldova’s reform efforts have been praised by its European partners, recent developments have shown that the country’s European path can be affected by geopolitical rivalries playing out in Eastern Europe. With general elections coming up in the autumn of 2014, important developments in its relations with the EU and complicated relations with Russia, Moldova faces a crucial year. By concentrating on implementing necessary reforms and communicating the benefits of EU integration to its citizens, Moldova should nevertheless be in a position to sign the Association Agreement and DCFTA before the end of 2014.