Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu says that while our country is not targeted directly by the war unfolding in neighboring Ukraine, the government must be prepared for any scenario.
“I don’t know if any European citizen today feels safe on our continent, given that one of the largest European states has been attacked without any reason. And in this context it is absolutely obvious that the Republic of Moldova does not feel safe either. At this point the Republic of Moldova is not targeted by the hostilities, but obviously we have a total, absolute obligation, as representatives of the people, to prepare our country for absolutely any scenario. And, of course, some of these scenarios could be quite scary. As you know, the situation is already dramatic”, Nicu Popescu said in an interview with the Romanian channel Antena 3.
Commending on Transnistria’s renewed demand for the recognition of its independence, Nicu Popescu said: “Obviously this is unacceptable to us and such demands are a source of concern. The government must prepare for absolutely any scenario. At the same time, at this point we do not see any military activities in the Transnistrian region that should alert us. We are on alert, we are concerned, but today we do not see military signals coming from this area”.
Regarding Chisinau’s formal application for joining the European Union, the official suggested that Moldova relies on Romania’s support. “From the first day of this government, but also from the first day of (Maia Sandu’s) presidency, we have always rested on the understanding that Romania is the most important partner for the Republic of Moldova, not only in terms of diplomacy, but also in our efforts to transform our country, modernize it, to Europeanize the Republic of Moldova, to ensure peace and stability”, stated Popescu, invoking the two countries’ shared historic and cultural ties.
