Prime Minister Dorin Recean was the main speaker, along with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, at the panel discussion “Two years of war in Ukraine and its impact on security in the Black Sea region. Integration into the EU and the Republic of Moldova’s resilience to current challenges” on the first day of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum, IPN reports.

The eighth edition of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum – an international security conference, in regional format, which brings together persons with extensive professional experience from different states to debate risks, threats and vulnerabilities in the Black Sea region and the Balkans - brought to Romania renowned military experts, such as Generals David Petraues, Phillip Breedlove and Ben Hodges.

With an ambitious agenda and prestigious guests, the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum stands out as the most important event dedicated to security in the Black Sea region. The forum includes 41 panels and 161 speakers, bringing together renowned officials, diplomats, servicemen and analysts from the European Union and NATO member states, as well as partner countries.

Participating online, the Moldovan Prime Minister noted in particular that “the security of the Black Sea is the basis of stability of the entire Euro-Atlantic area, and Ukraine’s fight is not only about its own sovereignty, but also about the maintaining of Europe’s security architecture”. He urged to maintain the support for the neighboring country.

The official stressed that the current priorities include the building of institutions’ resilience and defense capabilities, development of the economy and achievement of energy independence. The Security and Defense Partnership between Moldova and the European Union, which was signed on May 21 at the eighth meeting of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council, will help us to counter Russia’s attempts to interfere in the internal democratic processes.

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, together with the President of the Romanian Senate Nicolae Ciucă and the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, are the keynote speakers at the panel discussion centering on the European integration of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in the current European context.

IPN reported that Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi also participates in the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum, with a speech entitled “The strategic importance of the Black Sea. Why do we need a free and open Black Sea?”. It focuses on the strategic and economic importance of the Black Sea region.