The future of the Republic of Moldova is in the European Union, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Urmas Reinsalu stated in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Moldova’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, who paid a working visit to Tallinn, IPN reports.
The interlocutors discussed the bilateral cooperation relations, the reform agenda of the Moldovan authorities and the closer integration with the EU. Nicu Popescu thanked Estonia for the assistance offered to Moldova in the process of obtaining the EU candidate status, noting that despite the security risks generated by Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine, the authorities work on the European Commission’s recommendations and do reforms in such key areas as justice and the fight against corruption.
“With my counterpart, I also discussed the consequences of the war for our country, especially as regards energy security and hybrid threats. Our country will continue to receive assistance from the EU in strengthening the defense and security sector through the agency of the European Peace Facility. We will cooperate closer so as to also strengthen our institutions’ capacities to cope with the hybrid threats,” said Nicu Popescu, being quoted in a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
According to the official, the holding of the second meeting of the European Political Community in Moldova this year will ensure a platform needed to extend the dialogue on regional cooperation and security.
The ministers signed two jubilee envelopes to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Moldovan-Estonian diplomatic relations on November 10, 1992.
While in Tallinn, Nicu Popescu also had meetings with other Estonian officials and with representatives of think tanks and local journalists.
With the Minister of Defense of Estonia Hanno Pevkur, the Moldovan official discussed methods of strengthening the bilateral dialogue in security and defense given the multiple challenges to Moldova’s security.
In the discussion with Andres Sutt, chairman of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, and Enn Eesmaa, the committees’ deputy chairwoman, Nicu Popescu underlined the necessity of intensifying the parliamentary dialogue and of ensuring a more dynamic exchange of expertise so as to support Moldova’s irreversible European course.
With Indrek Kannik, director of the International Center for Defense and Security, and Kristi Raik, head of the Center’s Foreign Policy Program, the Moldovan official discussed the bilateral relationship with Estonia, the current security context caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the energy and humanitarian crises and Moldova’s firm direction towards accession to the European Union.
