The EU is currently looking at connecting Moldova to the European electricity grid swiftly, said the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borell and Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Enlargement, during their visit to Chisinau on March 2 and 3.

Meeting with Moldova’s leadership in the context of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the two officials discussed with them ways to strengthen Moldova’s resilience in areas covering the humanitarian situation, energy security, economic recovery and security and defense, the EU External Action Service said in a press release.

“Moldova has a right to choose its foreign policy course and we believe strongly that Moldova belongs to the European family. We will continue to cooperate intensively on the basis of our Association Agreement”, High Representative Borell told a joint press conference with President Maia Sandu, who on Thursday signed a formal request seeking the EU membership for Moldova.

On the refugee crisis, Commissioner Várhelyi praised the efforts made by Moldova so far, promising €15 million to help manage it. During a meeting with Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița, he also confirmed that the EU will continue to provide support beyond immediate needs, through economic recovery plan worth €600 million as well as the economic and investment plan with five flagship initiatives for Moldova leveraging up to € 3.4 billion.

Meeting with Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu, High Representative Borell thanked Moldova for its support to the UN General Assembly’s resolution on aggression against Ukraine. It was agreed to hold the first EU-Moldova high-level political and security dialogue at the earliest possible convenience to discuss how to strengthen Moldova’s resilience by enhancing cyber security, implementing assistance under the European Peace Facility and fighting disinformation.

Meeting with Speaker Igor Grosu, the two EU officials urged Parliament to advance on key governance and energy reforms in line with the EU-Moldova Association Agreement.