Moldova and EU intend to deepen defence co-operation through EU security pact, according to The Financial Times.
Moldova responded to the war in Ukraine with a sharp turn towards NATO and the European Union. The abrupt change stems from the fact that the country is sandwiched between Ukraine, NATO, and EU member Romania. Having become an official candidate for EU membership, the country is seeking to restructure its judicial, economic, and security policies.
Under the EU security pact, Moldova would increase intelligence sharing and conduct joint military exercises. It would also be included in the bloc’s joint arms purchases. However, the country’s constitution declares “permanent neutrality” and excludes NATO membership.
The “security and defence partnership” comes despite Russia’s repeated warnings that Moldova could suffer the same fate as Ukraine if it “aligns itself with the West.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in March that Brussels had given Moldova the same ultimatum as Ukraine: “either us or Russia.” Lavrov claimed that Moscow would “defend” Moldova’s ethnic Russian population.
The EU also imposed sanctions against Russian-linked entities that it said sought to destabilise Moldova. The measure was taken in response to an alleged coup attempt against the government of Moldovan President Maia Sandu and other “hybrid” attacks.
The partnership will also aim to increase co-operation between Moldovan and European agencies in defending against foreign manipulation. This also includes defence against cyber and terrorist threats, according to the document.
This is a confirmation of the increased integration of Moldova’s security and defence stance with the EU. This puts structure and organisation around the co-operation.
According to officials, EU diplomats will discuss the EU security pact this week and should officially sign it next week.
Protest in Chișinău
Supporters of Moldovan MP Marina Tauber protested in front of the Chișinău district court, where the first hearing on charges of disrupting a court session was taking place. Several hundred people came with placards “Down with PAS” (Party of Action and Solidarity) and “Down with Maia Sandu.” Tauber accused the country’s authorities of pressurising the opposition.
If the arrests are the price for our struggle, we won’t give up.
The authorities accused the MP of staging a protest in the courthouse and disrupting one of the sittings where the case against Ilan Shor, head of the Victory bloc, was being heard. However, the lawyers claimed that disrupting a court session could not be a criminal offence. They also labelled the authorities’ actions as pressure on the opposition.
Earlier, Evghenia Guțul, the head of Gagauzia, an autonomous territorial unit of Moldova, attended the Victory Day Parade in Moscow. However, the Moldovan Cabinet spokesman Daniel Vodă stated that Guțul “did not represent Moldova and its people, because she is not a member of the government,” Moldovan media reported.
