Romanian MEPs Eugen Tomac and Siegfried Mureşan visit Chișinău alongside EUDS President Nathalie Loiseau

Brussels – The Republic of Moldova deserves the full attention and unwavering support of the European Union in these difficult times, so that it can remain free, independent, and able to continue its path towards EU membership, said on Wednesday the president of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield in the European Parliament (EUDS), Nathalie Loiseau, who led a delegation of the European Parliament (EP) on a visit to Chișinău this week.

The visit aimed to document how the Republic of Moldova is combating foreign disinformation, hybrid threats, and cyberattacks, as well as to assess EU support in these areas.

“We are witnessing an increase in attacks on democracies around the world. The Republic of Moldova has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of sophisticated hybrid threats. (…) During our visit, we discussed with national authorities, civil society representatives, and journalists. We shared valuable experiences and lessons on how to combat aggressive interference from the Russian Federation and non-state actors. It is essential that the Republic of Moldova is supported to make its own choices – without coercion or manipulation – with the support of partners who respect it and share the same vision,” said the president of EUDS, Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe group), as quoted in a press release from the EP.

The EP delegation also included MEPs Mika Aaltola (EPP group), Eugen Tomac (Renew Europe group), and Siegfried Mureșan (EPP group), the latter also serving as the president of the Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee.

The delegation met with the president of the parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu, with the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov, with the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Doina Nistor, with the Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun, and with the Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu, as well as with the director of the Center for Strategic Communication and Countering Disinformation Ana Revenco. The visit also included discussions with representatives of civil society and the media.

Romania plays a crucial role in supporting the European path of the Republic of Moldova, given the close cultural, historical, and economic ties between the two countries. As a member of the European Union, Romania is a partner and a provider of expertise for Moldova’s access to the resources and assistance necessary for European integration. In addition, Romania acts as a strategic link between the Republic of Moldova and the EU, contributing to securing the Union’s eastern borders.

One million citizens of the Republic of Moldova hold Romanian passports. This also means a European passport, meaning the European Union already has one million citizens in the Republic of Moldova. This should shorten our path to the EU, stated, in May 2024, the president Maia Sandu, who herself holds Romanian citizenship. (28.5.2025)