Moldova: Costa discusses enlargement in Chișinău. President Sandu: “Only in the EU will we be protected”

Brussels – Ahead of the March 6 extraordinary European Council meeting on Ukraine’s security, the EU is returning to reaffirm its support for the Republic of Moldova. Heavily threatened by the cut-off of Russian gas supplies and the presence of Russian troops in the self-proclaimed republic of Transnistria, Moldova was the destination of this morning’s (March 3) official visit by European Council President Antonio Costa to the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu, precisely three years after the latter signed its application for EU membership.

The main themes of the summit were the country’s entry into the EU, energy independence from Russia, support for economic development, peace, and security. At the press conference, Sandu recalled how, despite Moscow’s threats, Moldova has chosen to remain on the path toward accession and reaffirmed this will through the October 2024 referendum: “We have chosen freedom and democracy,” the President stressed. Maia Sandu expressed gratitude for the €250 million the EU allocated to support Moldova’s economy in 2025. Regarding the issue of the country’s security, she solemnly stated that: “Only in the EU will we be protected. Only in the EU will we have peace.”

Antonio Costa praised the progress Moldova has made toward membership over the past three years and, referring to hybrid attacks, fake news, and Moscow’s energy blackmail, stressed that the EU is a reliable partner and that “working shoulder to shoulder to shape our shared future on our own terms – with no interference and no one deciding for us.” Costa returned to the topic of European security, stressing the importance of the concrete decisions that European leaders must make on March 6 and the need for a just peace for Ukraine, which is also necessary for the security of Moldova, the second largest beneficiary of the European peace facility with 37 million euros already disbursed for increasing its defense capabilities and another 60 million coming by 2025. “We are investing in defense for peace, not for war,” the president pointed out.

The EU Council and Parliament on February 20 reached a political agreement on the fiscal pillar of Moldova’s Growth Plan, which, once adopted, will provide the country with 1.9 billion euros to boost the economy, attract investment, and promote growth. The funds will be essential for Moldova’s rapid energy transition, with the country needing to increase its clean electricity storage and generation capacities to achieve autonomy. Of this 1.9 billion, 300 million will be available as early as the end of April. Regarding Transnistria, Antonio Costa recalled how the 60 million euro offer made to the region in exchange for concrete measures on fundamental freedoms and human rights is still on the table.

Like EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos before him (February 4, 2025), Costa in Chisinau emphasized his confidence in a rapid conclusion to Moldova’s EU accession process.