The Republic of Moldova’s Euro-Atlantic Option
The Peace Partnership between the Republic of Moldova and NATO has contributed to a safer environment for citizens, the Moldovan leader, Maia Sandu, has said in Brussels
Leyla Cheamil, 12.12.2024, 13:50
The relations between NATO and the Republic of Moldova, an ex-Soviet, Romanian-speaking country, have along the years known several development stages, being marked by political changes at regional and global levels.
Chișinău has lately stepped up the relations it has with the North-Atlantic Alliance against the background of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. During one of her visits to Brussels, the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, reiterated before the NATO headquarters her state’s commitment to peace and regional security.
The Peace Partnership between the Republic of Moldova and NATO “has contributed to a safer environment for citizens, for strengthening the army’s defence capabilities and the resilience of our entire society,” Sandu said during the meeting she had with NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, according to a press release by the presidency in Chisinau.
Talks focused on regional security, hybrid threats, including interference in the election process and corruption as well as the need for joint actions for the protection of the regional democracies.
Talking to the North-Atlantic Council, NATO’s main decision-making structure, made up of the representatives of all the 32 members, president Sandu underlined the efforts made by the Republic of Moldova to maintain peace and stability in spite of the war going on at its borders, and to consolidate its resilience against hybrid threats.
The head of the Moldovan state drew attention to foreign interference tactics targeting democratic processes such as the illegal funding of parties and the manipulation of information, with a view to undermining democracy and the citizens’ trust.
She also highlighted the importance of international cooperation for defending democracies the world over and promoting peace. According to the Moldovan President, her visit to the NATO headquarters is proof of Chisinau’s commitment to ensuring the security of its citizens, of protecting the democratic processes in the Republic of Moldova and strengthening its role as a trustworthy partner in the regional security. Sandu’s visit to Brussels took place after the confirmation of the country’s European roadmap in the referendum, where Moldovans voted for this national objective to be included in the country’s Constitution.
The visit came after the new European Commission had kicked off its mandate underlining the continuity and consolidation of the country’s strong ties with the European Union. During her visit, the Chisinau leader also met the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who on Tuesday announced a 60 million Euro support package for the Republic of Moldova, which will use the money to reform its legal system and achieve economic stability.
(bill)
