Chisinau: European Union leaders have made a firm call for the "full and immediate withdrawal of all Russian military personnel and ammunition from the Transnistrian region" of the Republic of Moldova. They reiterated their support for Moldova's territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and its ongoing journey toward EU membership.
According to Kuwait News Agency, this announcement was made during the historic first EU-Moldova Summit held in Chisinau. The summit was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and President of Moldova Maia Sandu. Discussions focused on enhancing political and economic cooperation amidst growing regional threats, particularly the continuing Russian conflict against Ukraine.
The final statement from the summit condemned "Russia's continued blackmail through the energy sector," accusing Moscow of leveraging energy as a strategic tool to unsettle Moldova. The EU reiterated its commitment to supporting Moldova's energy independence and full integration into the European energy market.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted Russia's ongoing efforts to destabilize Moldova's democratic processes through disinformation campaigns, election interference, and electoral corruption using local proxies. The EU pledged continued support to strengthen Moldova's resilience against these threats, involving initiatives like the European Union Partnership Mission and relevant security mechanisms.
On the economic front, the EU announced a substantial allocation of EUR 1.9 billion under the "Moldova Growth Plan." This funding aims to accelerate economic reforms, enhance public services, and create job opportunities. Additionally, an initial disbursement of EUR 270 million will be provided through the "Reform and Growth Facility." The security assistance via the European Peace Facility, amounting to EUR 197 million, was also acknowledged for boosting Moldova's defense capabilities and expanding its security and defense collaboration with the EU.
EU leaders emphasized in their declaration that "the future of Moldova and its people lies within the European Union." They welcomed the inclusion of EU accession as a national goal in Moldova's constitution, following the 2024 referendum, and reaffirmed their ongoing support for Moldova's democratic and institutional reform efforts.