Moldova will receive unprecedented attention on Thursday when the country hosts a meeting of the European political community. The country wants to strengthen its ties with the EU and reduce its dependence on Russia.
BRUSSELS / CHIȘINĂU Little Moldova is the subject of unprecedented attention when the leaders of nearly 50 European countries gather at the Mimi Castle near the capital Chișinău.
In addition to the leaders of the EU countries, the leaders of almost all other European countries are expected to attend. Special interest is focused on Turkey and Britain, which are not part of the EU.
Ukraine is also among the invited countries. The public has not been told in advance who will represent the country at the summit.
The meeting and related arrangements can be considered a big test for Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe. The country has been the target of Russia’s strong influence since the attack on Ukraine.
– The fact that Moldova was able to organize a meeting of the political community is in itself a strong sign of the solidarity and support of other European countries, head of the IPRE organization specializing in European politics Julian Groza says to .
Expensive energy and hybrid influence
The year after the Russian invasion has been difficult for Moldovans. Russia’s pressure has been reflected in the daily lives of Moldovans, for example, in the rise in the cost of energy.
Russia has also allegedly planned a coup to replace the country’s pro-Western government. The pro-Russian region of Transnistria, which is part of Moldova, has also exposed Moldova to Russian influence.
However, attempts to influence have not led to the result Russia hoped for, Groza points out. Over the past year, the proportion of Moldovans who support European integration has increased from 52% to 60%.
A demonstration organized a week ago, where an estimated 80,000 people marched in favor of Moldova’s EU membership, also shows that Moldovans are in favor of Europe.
– Integration into Europe has always been the most important priority in Moldova’s foreign and domestic policy, says Groza.
A support package was already promised to Moldova
The European political community can be seen as a response to the dividing line in Europe created by the Russian invasion.
It brings together the political leaders of 47 European countries and representatives of the EU institutions for informal discussions related to security and stability.
The father of the idea can be considered the president of France Emmanuel Macron, who presented his vision for a new pan-European forum in Strasbourg a year ago. The first meeting of the community was held in Prague in October.
The summit in Moldova is expected to focus on security, energy policy and strengthening ties between the participating countries.
Director of IPIS, an organization focused on governance and geopolitics Vadim Pistrinciuc hopes for tangible results from the meeting that can also be seen in people’s everyday lives.
– People need to get the feeling that concrete decisions were made at the summit, and not just talk.
On the eve of the meeting, the president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen promised Moldova a five-point support package, which includes, among other things, energy support, investments of 1.6 billion euros and a reduction in roaming charges for telecommunications between Moldova and the EU.
The goal is EU membership
EU expansion to Moldova or Ukraine is not on the agenda of the summit as such. The countries were accepted as official candidate countries last June.
However, the discussion on EU enlargement comes up in the bilateral meetings held in connection with the summit.
representing the Brussels-based EPC think tank by Marta Mucznik According to him, the Russian attack has opened a window of opportunity for European countries hoping for membership.
– The Russian attack has accelerated the discussion on EU enlargement and forced the EU countries to consider their relationship with the eastern partner countries of the Union, Mucznik says.