Research and development has become the key factor of economic growth and social development. The competitiveness of small countries like Moldova depends largely on the ability to formulate and implement smart policies involving science, technology and innovation. In this context, it was considered whether the R&D Strategy of Moldova until 2020, approved late last year, fall into these realities and can be a tool to increase competitiveness. For this we addressed three aspects, properly structured further in our article: 1) how Strategy correlates with European policies in the field, especially with the approach of smart specialization; 2) comparing its provisions with a similar strategy of an EU Member State; 3) compliance of the strategy to policy document requirements (coherence, clarity, realism etc.). It notes that the document does not meet the requirements of a smart specialization approach and is poorly integrated into national economic and social context. Coupled with shortcomings related to the general and specific objectives, measures and expected results we appreciate that this will contribute in a small measure to the integration of R&D in the wider process of innovation and increasing economic competitiveness.