French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday expressed his support for his Moldovan counterpart, Maia Sandu, in the face of “attempts to destabilize Russia” in the country, the Elysee announced. Ukraine’s neighbor Moldova says it is effectively facing “a hybrid war” led by Moscow to “overthrow” the ruling pro-European executive.
“Remembering the importance of continuing to reform the country”, Emmanuel Macron proposed during a telephone interview to make “experts, particularly in cybernetics and economics” available to Chisinau.
This statement comes after the disclosure by various media of a document from the Russian secret services, which details a plan with the aim of destabilizing Moldova and maintaining Russian influence there. This by supporting pro-Russian groups, using the Orthodox Church or even threatening to cut off the gas supply to the country.
As a reminder, Moldova is a former Soviet republic and, on its territory, Russian forces are present in the breakaway region of Transnistria.
A “set of provocations” destined to sow chaos
“Currently there is no imminent military danger against Moldova, but there are other types of security risks,” Anatolie Nosatii, the Moldovan defense minister, told AFP in an interview on Monday.
He spoke of “misinformation, Russian-generated tensions in society” as well as a “set of provocations” aimed at sowing chaos and “changing the political order.”
On March 12, the police announced the arrest of members of a network they suspect is orchestrated by Moscow. The suspected rioters are accused of wanting to destabilize the country by intervening during anti-government demonstrations that regularly rock the Moldovan capital.
The White House had also accused Moscow of “seeking to weaken the Moldovan government” with the aim of installing a government committed to its cause.
Russia last month denied any coup plans, decrying claims “absolutely baseless and without evidence.”
“In 2030, Moldova must be a member of the EU”
Although Moldova has been an official candidate to join the European Union since June 2022, Maia Sandu said on Friday that she wanted to join the EU by 2030, “the only chance”, according to her, to build a country protected from the threats of the Kremlin.
“In 2030, Moldova must be a member of the EU, take this opportunity to be part of the European family with equal rights,” the head of state told a plenary session of parliament in Chisinau.
“How long will it take us? It all depends on us,” he added, as the government struggles to implement necessary reforms after years of Russian control.
During the exchange between the two Heads of State, Emmanuel Macron praised the Moldovan president for the country’s current “efforts” to reform the country to join the EU, in particular that of “justice to improve the fight against corruption”.
He also said that he was ready to “provide all necessary assistance to Moldova for the organization and holding of the summit” of the European Political Community scheduled for June 1 in this country. This community, created as a result of the war in Ukraine, brings together 44 countries from the European continent, 17 of which are not members of the European Union.
Source: BFM TV
