Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița says there are “no signals about the risk of military actions expanding to the Republic of Moldova”. As for Transnistria’s renewed demand for the recognition of its independence, Gavrilița said such statements “are 30 years old”.

During a press conference on Monday, she noted that Tiraspol had called for the independence of the Transnistrian region to be recognized on multiple occasions, including when Moldova signed the Association Agreement with the EU. “The important thing is that the existing negotiation mechanisms are functional and the authorities Chisinau will continue to use them”, said Gavrilița.

Asked about Ukraine’s decision to halt some exports, the prime minister said it was clear that the war would affect international markets. Ukraine is a major exporter of grain. “The reorientation of our economy will come with certain transaction costs or even certain costs for businesses. But I want to remind you that in recent years Moldova’s economy has shifted to trade with the European Union”, she said, adding that trade with Russia and Ukraine currently accounts for about 15% of the total.

Last week as Moldova signed a formal request for EU membership copycatting Ukraine’s application, the de facto authorities in Tiraspol called for a “final settlement” of the Transnistrian conflict and the signing of a bilateral agreement to this effect.