The European official stated that the EU is prepared to support environmental projects in the Republic of Moldova through the Growth Plan worth 1.9 billion euros. She mentioned that the funds from the Growth Plan will support investments in water infrastructure, wastewater treatment plants, and other sustainable development projects. “We know that everything related to water purification contributes, in fact, to public health. We are also trying to rehabilitate wastewater treatment plants and, together with the European Bank, to help the Republic of Moldova advance towards a sustainable future,” the European Commissioner added.

In turn, the Minister of the Environment, Gheorghe Hajder, stated that the green transition no longer just means environmental protection, but also economic development, investments, and getting closer to the European Union. “We want the future of the economy of the Republic of Moldova to be green, modern, and European. We want green investments to reach cities and villages, businesses, farms, public infrastructure, and projects that bring direct benefits to people, but also protect the environment at the same time,” said the minister.

According to the minister, the authorities continue preparations for the opening of negotiations on Chapter 27 – Environment and climate change, one of the most complex in the accession process. He pointed out that European legislation will be gradually transposed, so that citizens and the business environment can adapt. Among the authorities’ priorities are the National Reforestation Program, modernization of the waste management system, development of the circular economy, water protection, and investments in green infrastructure.

The two officials also discussed the need for investments in water infrastructure and the strengthening of administrative capacities necessary for the implementation of European environmental legislation. At the same time, the intervention of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism during the recent ecological crisis on the Nistru River was appreciated, with the authorities in Chisinau noting that European support contributed to a more efficient management of the situation.

Officials have reiterated that the Republic of Moldova is ready to advance in the process of accession to the European Union on the environmental component, and investments in water, waste management, air quality and adaptation to climate change are considered essential both for approaching European standards and for improving the quality of life of citizens.

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According to the MEP, in recent years, the Republic of Moldova has transitioned from being a target of hybrid attacks to a model of best practices in combating external interference and protecting electoral processes. Nathalie Loiseau emphasized that threats to democracy no longer target only candidate states for accession to the European Union, but all European countries. She listed among the main risks disinformation, cyber attacks, illegal financing of political actors, and the use of online platforms for manipulating public opinion.

During the panel discussion, the French MEP mentioned that the European Shield of Democracy, an initiative launched by the President of the European Commission, aims to strengthen democratic resilience by combating foreign interference, protecting media pluralism, and developing media education.

Moderated by the Vice President of the Aspen Institute France, Jean-Christophe Bas, the discussion was dedicated to the ways in which the Republic of Moldova can contribute to the strengthening of this European mechanism for the protection of democratic values. He emphasized that democracy must be defended against both external and internal threats, and its protection involves the involvement of the entire society.

Romanian Senator Titus Corlatean, the president of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that the experience accumulated by the Republic of Moldova in combating disinformation and external interference could be useful even to EU member states. Corlățean mentioned that democratic resilience does not stop at the EU’s borders and requires coordinated responses and a constant exchange of expertise between states. At the same time, Jaromír Knirsch, the German ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, emphasized that defending democracy cannot be reduced to security mechanisms, but involves strengthening institutions and citizen involvement.

The discussion participants highlighted that the Republic of Moldova has already implemented a series of relevant reforms for the consolidation of democracy, including changes to the electoral legislation, measures to increase the transparency of political party financing, reforms in justice, and actions to strengthen energy security.

In turn, the president of the “Ai-Viziune” Academy for Democracy and European Integration, Ina Coseru, stated that the European Shield of Democracy should not be seen as an external protection mechanism, but as a continuous process of strengthening democratic institutions and communities. She emphasized the need to maintain an authentic public dialogue and the active involvement of young people, local authorities, the business environment, and civil society in the European integration process.

The high-level forum “Common Future: Moldova and the Global Democracy Agenda” is organized by the “Ai-Viziune” Academy for Democracy and European Integration, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the Aspen Institute France, and brings together politicians, diplomats, experts, and journalists from the Republic of Moldova, the European Union, and Ukraine to discuss the strengthening of democracy, European integration, and regional cooperation.

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Ingrida Šimonytė mentioned that Lithuania has been, is, and will always be an active supporter of the country’s European path. “European integration is a process that never ends. Accession is the most visible moment, but it does not represent the finish line,” declared the former head of the Lithuanian Government.

According to this, the Republic of Moldova must continue the reforms and follow the accession process step by step, without rushing the stages. She mentioned that, although some member states still have reservations about the expansion of the European Union, the door to accession for the Republic of Moldova is already open.

Present at the event, the President of Parliament, Igor Grosu, stated that defending democracy is one of the main challenges of the present, in the context of the war in Ukraine and hybrid threats. “Democracy is not something given once and for all. We must defend it every day, through responsible policies and behaviors,” said the president of the legislature.

At the same time, the project director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Raimar Wagner, stated that the European Union remains one of the few areas of democratic stability at a global level and emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary for the organization of fair elections. Moreover, he appreciated the pace of reforms implemented by the Republic of Moldova in the process of European integration and highlighted the resilience of institutions and society in the face of electoral challenges.

The high-level forum “Common Future: Moldova and the Global Democracy Agenda”, brings together politicians, diplomats, experts, and journalists from the Republic of Moldova, the European Union, and Ukraine to discuss the strengthening of democracy, European integration, and regional cooperation.

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As the European Union and countries like the Republic of Moldova face an unprecedented wave of disinformation and FIMI (foreign informational manipulation and interference), understanding how these influence operations work has become a matter of democratic resilience and national security. To discuss the ever-evolving threat represented by FIMI, the methods used by Russia, and how societies can more effectively identify and counteract manipulation, we are joined by Etienne Soula, an associate researcher for Southern Europe and Extended Europe at the German Marshall Fund.

Welcome and thank you for accepting the invitation from the IPN press agency!

Thank you for the invitation. I am very pleased to be here.

Mr. Soula, the concept of manipulation and foreign informational interference (FIMI) has attracted increasing attention in recent years. How would you define FIMI and how does it differ from traditional disinformation and propaganda?

FIMI is a concept broader than mere disinformation and propaganda. The entire acronym stands for “foreign informational manipulation and interference”. The information manipulation component represents only a small part of the destabilization methods that authoritarian countries like Russia use to destabilize democracies, including the Republic of Moldova. Other methods include corruption, malign financing, economic coercion, cyber operations, etc. Together with information manipulation, all these form what we call FIMI.

The European Union and the Republic of Moldova have become targets of sophisticated information manipulation campaigns. Why are these entities particularly vulnerable and what are the main narratives promoted against them?

I am convinced that many of your viewers know that, from 2022, Russia is engaged in a war of aggression against Ukraine. This has now become an existential struggle for the regime in Moscow. Since the European Union is one of the main supporters of Kiev in this war, Moscow has tried everything to stop this support and to affect the morale of the European Union and its partners.

In recent years, we have seen that the Republic of Moldova and the European Union have grown closer. Considering the history and geographical position of Moldova, it has become a kind of front-line state in this confrontation between Moscow, Ukraine, and the European Union.

Russia has been accused of using informational operations as a strategic instrument of foreign policy. What are the most common methods and techniques used by Russian actors to influence public opinion in the European Union?

As you mentioned, the technique that attracts the most attention is information manipulation, which part of the public knows under the names of disinformation, fake news, or propaganda. I intentionally use the term “information manipulation” because it is broader and covers all the ways in which authoritarian regimes use information that can sometimes be true or partially true, manipulate it, and disseminate it, especially through modern tools such as social networks and, increasingly, through artificial intelligence tools.

These pieces of information are disseminated in a way intended to shape or manipulate public opinion and create division and discord in the targeted societies.

Informational manipulation is supported by other tools that Russia uses. As previously mentioned, there are cyber operations, used to affect critical infrastructure and to create an impression of chaos in society, leaving the impression that the government cannot provide adequate services to the population when a service is affected by a cyber attack.

There is also malignant financing and corruption, through which Moscow and its intermediaries or allies in the region direct funds towards individuals and organizations that repeat its narratives and messages, without Russia being visibly directly involved.

There is also the economic constraint. In the case of Russia, this has largely manifested itself in the energy sector, with Russia using its gas exports and other energy resources to blackmail countries dependent on these resources and to force governments to do what Moscow wants.

All of these, together, create a “manual of action” FIMI that destabilizes democracies in Europe and its vicinity.

How have Russia’s disinformation tactics evolved since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine and what new trends are you observing today in the information space?

Since the widespread invasion in 2022, Russia has become more desperate. What were once lower-intensity efforts to destabilize democracies has turned into a much more aggressive approach.

At the same time, some of the main tools that Russia successfully used in Europe were deactivated. I am referring in particular to state-controlled television channels, such as Russia Today (RT) and Sputnik, which were present in many countries of the European Union and had a large audience. They focused on certain controversial issues in EU member states and immediately after the invasion of Ukraine, these media institutions were banned in the European Union. As a result, Russia was forced to diversify its efforts and create less visible sources and dissemination channels.

For instance, the so-called “Operation Doppelganger” was identified, through which Russia copied very well-known Western websites, such as the French newspaper Le Monde or the German publication Der Spiegel, creating copies of these in which it published its own messages in a format very similar to that of credible sources.

Another significant aspect of recent developments is the increasingly intensive use of artificial intelligence. AI can be used to create more content and more accurate content, including by translating from Russian into various European languages, while respecting cultural nuances. It also allows for the creation of websites at much lower costs and on a much larger scale.

For ordinary citizens, it can be difficult to distinguish between legitimate information, misinformation, and coordinated manipulation. What are the main indications that certain content might be part of a FIMI campaign?

It’s difficult to provide absolute rules. I believe it’s important for people to use their critical thinking. A common element of content created to have a manipulative effect is the appeal to emotions. It tries to make you very angry or very scared.

For example, ahead of last year’s elections in the Republic of Moldova and the previous year, many messages circulated suggesting that a vote in a certain direction would lead to war and push Moldova down the same path as Ukraine. These messages were clearly designed to scare people and to use their fear so that they would no longer analyze the decision they need to make rationally. So, yes, I believe that here people could use their critical thinking when looking at certain content and ask themselves whether it provides them with information or is just trying to provoke a very strong emotion.

The Republic of Moldova is preparing for significant political and geopolitical decisions in its process of joining the European Union. How great is the threat posed by informational manipulation in shaping public perceptions of European integration?

It’s a very serious concern for the European Union. As I mentioned, starting from 2022, the EU member states themselves have become much more intense targets of Russian informational operations.

There is a fear that in a country like Moldova, where there is now a real momentum for joining the European Union, for the first time in many years, Russia, having lost the rational battle in a way, will try to use these covert methods to manipulate public opinion and spread lies about the fact that EU membership would not be beneficial for Moldova.

Countering disinformation is not just a matter of governmental policies, but also of societal resilience. What practical measures should governments, media organizations, and citizens take to identify, expose, and effectively combat manipulation and foreign informational interference?

It is absolutely true. I believe that a country can only be resistant to informational manipulation to the extent that its citizens are resistant. It is very important for each person to feel that they have a role to play to ensure they are not manipulated by lies originating from dictatorships.

The government obviously plays a significant role in creating suitable institutions and structures, but this effort must be supported by media organizations, which need to verify the information and ensure that they do not amplify narratives fabricated from outside.

Equally important are the civil society organizations – NGOs, think tanks, and other organizations that exist in society and play an essential role, especially in rural areas, further away from the capital, where they can function as a transmission belt between the government’s message and the people who trust them.

In the end, each person, in front of their own smartphone, must use their judgement and try to determine if what they are reading is true or if it is an attempt at manipulation, exercising their critical thinking to resist attempts at manipulation.

Looking towards the future, do you believe that democracies are better prepared to face IMIs or do informational manipulators adapt faster than our ability to counteract them?

This is a difficult question, a kind of “glass half full or half empty” dilemma. Depending on how optimistic or pessimistic you are, you can reach different conclusions.

Taking again the example of the Republic of Moldova, in the last electoral cycles there has been a real effort on the part of the entire society – government, institutions, media, NGOs, and citizens – to understand that the country is the target of manipulation attempts, and at the same time, to construct a positive narrative about the Republic of Moldova and its uniqueness, to have a positive message and not just to remain in a defensive position.

For this reason, the Republic of Moldova is often viewed in Brussels and other parts of Europe as a positive model and an example that can be followed.

If I stay here, in Chisinau, I want to be optimistic about the future and believe that, although there is a constant race between those who try to manipulate us and those who try to strengthen democracy, the glass is rather half full.

Mr. Soula, we thank you very much for this interview and for your optimism.

Thank you very much for the invitation.

Octavian Bratosin, IPN

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According to the institution, Dorin Junghietu emphasized that the experience of recent years has shown that energy security cannot be treated exclusively as a technical issue, but requires constant investments and long-term strategic decisions. At the same time, the minister stated that Moldova has managed to strengthen its energy resilience by diversifying supply sources and expanding regional cooperation.

In his speech, the Minister of Energy highlighted the role of Romania in strengthening national energy security. At the same time, the official presented the main directions of development of the sector, which include interconnections with the EU, integration into the European energy market, development of strategic infrastructure and increasing the capacity to produce energy from renewable sources.

A special emphasis was placed on the Balti-Suceava and Straseni-Gutinas energy infrastructure projects, which are set to strengthen the energy connectivity of the Republic of Moldova and its integration into the European energy market.

At the same time, the minister spoke about the need for investments in energy storage capacities and in the modernization of electrical networks, in the context of increasing renewable energy production and the transformations taking place at the European level.

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According to the governor of the BNM, Moldova currently offers investors a stable banking sector, with a predominantly European shareholding, undergoing a rapid process of alignment with European Union standards. She emphasized that financial reforms and the approach to the European market contribute to creating a more predictable environment for businesses. At the same time, the integration of payment systems and the development of digital infrastructure facilitate the operations of companies that are active or intend to invest in the Republic of Moldova.

“These developments demonstrate that reforms, financial modernization, and European integration strengthen the resilience of the Republic of Moldova and create an increasingly attractive environment for investment, where private capital finds stability, predictability and real access to the European market”, mentioned the governor of the NBM.

The EU-Moldova Investment Conference, organized by the Government and the European Commission, marks one year since the launch of the Growth Plan for Moldova. The event brought together investors, representatives of financial institutions, and decision-makers to discuss investment opportunities in areas such as energy, agri-food, infrastructure, transport, advanced manufacturing, innovation and digital technologies.

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At the meeting, European officials discussed energy security, the development of cross-border infrastructure, and strengthening regional cooperation. Dorin Junghietu emphasized that Moldova is advancing strategic interconnection projects with the European energy market, including the Vulcanesti-Chisinau and Suceava-Balti power lines, as well as the Straseni-Gutinas project.

The Minister emphasized the importance of developing energy storage capacities, essential for the flexibility of the network and reducing vulnerability to external shocks. He also stressed that the energy transition must be fair and protect vulnerable consumers.

Dorin Junghietu reiterated that Moldova remains dependent on energy imports and needs diversification of sources and supply routes. He emphasized the importance of optimizing gas routes, including interconnection with Romania, reverse flow through the Trans-Balkan Corridor, and access to storage capacities in Romania and Ukraine.

At the meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus, EU energy ministers, representatives of the EFTA countries, and delegations from Moldova and Ukraine participated.

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In a press release from the executive, it is mentioned that discussions with IMF experts focused on tax reform, macroeconomic policies, financial stability and capital market development. According to the authorities, tax reform is one of the essential measures for maintaining the sustainability of public finances and covering the costs related to the modernization of the state.

At the same time, during the meeting, topics related to the reform of local public administration, infrastructure projects, market liberalization and the digitization of public services were also addressed. The authorities maintain that these measures aim to strengthen economic resilience in the current regional context.

“We have ambitious goals and we are determined to achieve them, in partnership with international institutions and with the support of the citizens”, declared Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

In turn, the head of the IMF mission, Alina Iancu, appreciated the cooperation with the Moldovan authorities and stated that the IMF will continue to collaborate with institutions in Moldova to achieve common goals.

The visit of the International Monetary Fund experts takes place between May 7-20, in the context of negotiations for a new program supported by the Policy Coordination Instrument.

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According to the president, freedom of speech should not be confused with the freedom to spread false information, and protecting the truth remains a shared responsibility of the entire society. “In order to defend our values, it is essential to build a solid collaboration between the press, institutions, and citizens — based on trust, mutual respect, and an unequivocal commitment to democracy and the common good,” states the head of state.

Additionally, Maia Sandu also noted Moldova’s progress in the press freedom ranking conducted by the organization Reporters Without Borders. According to the published data, our country has climbed four positions and is now ranked 31st, achieving the best result among the candidate states for accession to the European Union.

In turn, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu stated that a free press is not a luxury, but a condition for democracy. The Premier emphasized that journalists help society to understand, discern, and form clear benchmarks. He added that journalists play an essential role in educating the public and in strengthening a healthy state.

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In his intervention, the Prime Minister emphasized that Moldova directly feels the consequences of the war in Ukraine, including through the energy crisis, environmental risks and hybrid pressures on institutions and citizens.

Alexandru Munteanu mentioned that the active participation of the country in the Three Seas Initiative is essential for strengthening energy security, developing critical infrastructure and attracting investments in the national economy.

At the same time, Munteanu stated that Moldova can contribute to strengthening regional resilience and connectivity through concrete projects in the energy sector, including electrical interconnections with Romania and Ukraine.

The Three Seas Initiative Summit takes place from April 28-29, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, bringing together political leaders, government officials, investors, and representatives from the business environment from over 45 countries.

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