On Monday 14 July before the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Moldovan foreign minister Mihai Popșoi said that the parliamentary elections scheduled for 28 September would be a “huge test” for his country, predicting that “the Kremlin will use all the tools at its disposal to work against Moldova’s future”.
During the presidential election and the referendum on the EU in October, the country faced major Russian interference, including vote-buying.
Mr Popșoi also warned that Russia was testing manipulation and interference techniques in Moldova; if they are successful, they will then extend them to other territories. “It is in all our interests to dismantle these tactics”, he explained, adding that his country was working on disinformation and dismantling the means used to pay for votes.
The Minister highlighted the reforms carried out by his country, particularly in the area of justice, and hoped that the first cluster of chapters in the EU accession negotiations would be opened “very soon”. “We stand ready”, he confirmed. However, Mr Popșoi acknowledged that his country’s economic situation was “very complicated”, after years of Covid-19 followed by three years of war in Ukraine. “The pandemic ended and we were hoping for economic recovery, but we’ve been in survival mode for the last three years because of the war”, he explained.
Highlighting the EU’s support in the face of Russian pressure, and particularly with regard to energy, and in economic, security and defence terms, the Minister said that his country was in a “much stronger position than a few years ago, which is the result of cooperation with the EU”.
He also welcomed the results of the first EU/Moldova summit, held on 4 July in Chisinau (see EUROPE 13674/1), such as the country’s integration into the Single European Payments Area and roaming, which “gives a sense of belonging”. “The more you integrate into the EU, the more you feel part of it before you become a member”, he added.
Finally, the Minister paid tribute to his Ukrainian neighbours. “Ukraine defends Moldova every day”, he stressed, adding that Russia would not rest on its laurels until it had brought Moldova back into its fold. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)