The foreign ministers of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine signed a joint statement and a memorandum of understanding on combating manipulation and foreign interference.

The declaration says the signatory states share similar visions and concerns regarding the current security environment and are firmly committed to a common, democratic, peaceful and prosperous European future. Appart from combating disinformation, the document aims to strenghthe relations among the three countries both in political and economic areas, in energy and infrastructure.

“An important message that resonated strongly in our discussions was that Moldova and Romania continue to be in solidarity with Ukraine and to constantly support our neighbors and friends”, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi told a press conference.

Popșoi said that the joint statement underlines Moldova’s and Romania’s solidarity, unwavering commitment and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, who continue to heroically resist Russia’s war of aggression. “We reiterate our commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine”, declared Mihai Popșoi, adding that Moldova is ready to become an essential strategic center for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The trilateral meeting was also an occasion to discuss projects to interconnect Moldova’s power grid with that of Ukraine and Romania to achieve a major regional impact. Possibilities of increasing the volumes of goods, especially grains, transiting the territory of Moldova and Romania, from and towards Ukraine, in the context of the solidarity corridor, were also discussed. “We are together this time here, in Chisinau, to reaffirm our full support for Ukraine, for democratic values, for peace in Europe. We are stronger together and we see this through the support offered by the international community”, said the minister.

“Today’s meeting is yet another proof of our firm support for Ukraine, for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in the context of the war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation. It is also an expression of Romania’s commitment to strongly support the European integration process of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in this difficult context. Today’s meeting was a moment of analysis and consultations, of broad trilateral discussions on areas of primary interest for all parties involved, such as energy interconnection and transport, combating disinformation, and also the European agenda”, said Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu.

One of the topics addressed was the fight against disinformation. “We are talking about a hybrid threat that affects all democratic states today, which creates instability and fragmentation and that has seen a major intensification in the context of the illegal aggression of the Russian Federation on Ukraine. That is precisely why today’s signing of the trilateral memorandum of understanding to combat disinformation is proof of our common commitment to counteract this phenomenon through a better structured cooperation”, added Odobescu.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba noted that this trilateral format was launched in Odessa in 2022 and continues to develop in the most useful way. “Ukraine and Moldova have already started EU accession negotiations, a historic step that would not have been possible without Romania’s consistent support. Once we become members of the EU, the borders between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania will become invisible, they will become the internal borders of the European Union. This will be a new reality for Europe and for all of us”, said the Ukrainian minister.

Chisinau hosted the third meeting of the Moldova-Romania-Ukraine Trilateral at the level of foreign ministers.