The European Commission recommended Friday that Moldova be granted candidate status for EU membership, marking the beginning of its journey toward membership in the 27-nation bloc, which will depend on a series of key reforms, AP reported.

The European Commission's proposal came the same day it recommended granting the same status to Ukraine and is conditional on Moldova implementing a series of reforms, such as enforcing the rule of law, cleaning up rampant corruption and addressing human rights issues.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that Moldova has taken a decisive step toward reform with a clear mandate from its citizens.