Why did Sweden give up its neutrality status and join the NATO bloc? What risks are involved in the coming to power of a pro-Russian President and how can Moldova maintain its neutrality, relying on its own forces. These issues were treated by Sweden's Ambassador to Moldova Katarina Fried in an interview with IPN News Agency.
IPN: Since September 2021, you have been serving as Ambassador of Sweden in Chisinau. Sweden is one of Moldova's key partners and bilateral relations have strengthened further in the last two years. How has the Republic of Moldova evolved in these years?
Katarina Fried: First of all, thank you very much for the invitation to be here today. I want to say that these three years have been extraordinary for me. What I experienced here was a remarkable journey, under very difficult circumstances. When I arrived, there was still COVID pandemic, followed by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which generated the refugee crisis, the energy crisis and economic crisis.
The Republic of Moldova managed, however, to overcome these challenges. In parallel with the management of these crises, you have achieved exceptional performance in the European integration process. You now have the EU candidate status and it is very impressive to see that you managed to become independent from Russian gas. All these achievements are extremely impressive. Being here and seeing all the difficulties and the work done for these successes is very, very inspiring.
IPN: I would like to mention the referendum in the Republic of Moldova and remind of the experience of Sweden, which joined the EU with 52 percent votes in favor. Sweden is now a strong member of the European Union, but at the time many considered this result limited or even shameful. What is your perspective on this?
"There was talk of the loss of sovereignty and identity... nothing came true"
Katarina Fried: It is true that when we joined the EU, 30 years ago, there were countless debates about the opportunity to join the European Union. The result was a narrow one, as you mentioned, but it was a legitimate result, which was respected. We decided to go ahead. This is how democracy works – we went ahead and, a few months later, we became members of the EU. Ten years later, we held another referendum to decide whether we wanted to adopt the single European currency, and the answer was no. This is how things should be: even if the result is narrow, you accept the decision of the majority and continue on the chosen path.
IPN: How did the Swedish authorities manage to convince their citizens that the EU is the right place for Sweden?
Katarina Fried: As I mentioned, there has been a lot of discussion on this topic. Many of the topics debated now in Moldova were also discussed in Sweden 30 years ago. There was talk of the loss of our sovereignty and identity within the EU, of an economy that would not be strong enough to cope with a larger market, of competitive agriculture and of the fear that Germany would buy our land.
None of this came true after our accession to the EU. I think the government didn't have to do much to convince the population. Currently, we have considerable support from the EU, which is an excellent thing for our country.
There are three main benefits: the EU gives us security, ensures incredible economic development and opens up freedoms related to work and studies in various areas of the Union. This road that the people covered is the most important proof – what you see is what you can really measure. We have first-hand experience of what it means to be part of the EU, and that is why there is so much support for the Union in Sweden today.
IPN: Could such approaches be applied in Moldova as well?
Katarina Fried: If Moldova keeps to the European course, I’m sure that you will have similar experiences, you will see the benefits including for those who are afraid of the European Union. Now we are in a better place and I am sure that the Republic of Moldova will also get there if it continues this path.
IPN: Moldova and Sweden signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense. But one of the most frequent disinformation narratives is that of NATO's alleged threat to the Republic of Moldova, often associated with the risk of a possible conflict in the region. What is your response to this narrative?
"Do you feel threatened by Sweden? No, because that is not our intention"
Katarina Fried: It is very clear that the EU is a project for peace, created after a period marked by multiple wars in Europe.
Do you feel threatened by Sweden? I hope not
Katarina Fried: It is very clear that the EU is a project for peace, created after a period marked by numerous wars in Europe.
The idea of bringing countries together in economic cooperation was aimed at establishing and maintaining peace, and this project proved to be a great success, because since then we have not had any more conflicts.
It's the same with NATO – a defensive alliance, not an aggressive one, which doesn't aim to attack anyone. I think there is only one aggressor state in the region, that state is Russia. Russia has invaded Ukraine, and it is important to emphasize this fact. They try to impose their influence through violence, aggression and threats. Instead, the EU uses methods based on cooperation, prosperity and peace.
I think it is important to sometimes remind ourselves what the EU and NATO mean. They represent the countries that are part of these organizations. For example, NATO also means Sweden. Do you feel threatened by Sweden? I hope not because that is certainly not our intention. I believe that, in the future, we can cooperate even more effectively. If the Republic of Moldova decides to join the EU, it will sit at the same table with us. It will have the right to contribute to the direction we will follow together and it will have the same rights as the other member states have. You will be part of this decision-making process. The EU and NATO have different missions, but essentially we are talking about the same countries: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France and others, which are friends of Moldova.
"Being neutral does not mean being silent"
IPN: Moldova is facing a massive wave of disinformation. What lessons can be learned from Sweden in this regard?
Katarina Fried: Disinformation is now present in all countries. We are also seeing this wave. It is very difficult to find a one-size-fits-all solution in this regard. I think we need to work on media literacy and the education system so that the people become more aware and selective when they read the press and verify information. In Sweden, we are fortunate to have a high level of trust in the authorities, which provide verified information. It's a tremendous advantage when you can come and explain what the truth actually is.
IPN: In March this year, Sweden ended its policy of neutrality and joined NATO. Here, in Moldova, the idea of neutrality is still a topic of discussion. Do you think that a country like the Republic of Moldova can maintain a neutral position?
Katarina Fried: It depends on what a neutral position means to you. In Sweden, before joining NATO, we had a policy of non-alignment that allowed us to ally with anyone we wanted in peacetime and not ally with anyone in wartime.
In the meantime, we invested heavily in the defense system, which allowed us to rely on our own forces to defend our neutrality. At the same time, this did not mean that we should remain silent when international law and human rights are violated. Neutrality does not mean being silent, and when we joined NATO, these principles did not change. We are now part of an alliance that can work together for these purposes and react together when international law is violated.
If we talk about the Republic of Moldova, I don't see any reason why you couldn't keep your neutrality, if that's what you want. In the EU, we have both countries that joined NATO and countries that did not. We also have allied countries in NATO that are not part of the EU, and they all work well together. Being neutral does not mean being silent.
IPN: We have another problem in this regard. Polls show very low trust in the national army. How was it in Sweden?
Katarina Fried: I don't remember exact figures on trust in the military, but I think it's high. To be a neutral country, you have to be able to defend your neutrality. Otherwise, it doesn't make any sense. If anyone can walk over you, then you're not really neutral; you must have the capacity to stop anyone who tries to use your territory. That's why we have invested in the army and in our defense sector.
IPN: The speed with which the Republic of Moldova advanced on its way to accession to the European Union was remarkably fast. In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues that need to be addressed urgently?
The coming to power of an anti-EU President will influence the pace of EU integration
Katarina Fried: Continue to work on the recommendations received from the European Commission. We will have a detailed report on the progress made and what remains to be done in the EU Enlargement report. But it is essential to focus on reforms in the justice system, which are priorities to move forward. The key to transparent and independent justice lies in the levers needed for a strong economy, and this should be a long-term priority.
Also, continue to transform the acquis communautaire into national legislation, not only on the legal side, but also on the practical side, as this will influence all areas: environment, energy, social policies and education. It is important to adopt these rules both from a legal perspective and in their concrete application.
IPN: What risks will the Republic of Moldova face if a pro-Russian President comes to power as a result of Sunday's election?
Katarina Fried: Both Sweden and the EU are partners of the Republic of Moldova. We firmly respect democracy and the voice of the people, andit is your right to decide for yourself the future of your country and who will lead you on this path. We hope to continue to have excellent relationships, and when we share the same views, cooperation is much easier.
If you have a leader who is not pro-European, this will influence the pace of the European integration process. We will be on your side, but you must make considerable efforts to continue the European path, and we hope that this will be the direction chosen.
IPN: What message would you like to send to the Moldovan citizens ahead of the runoff presidential election?
Katarina Fried: This is your opportunity to decide the direction for the Republic of Moldova. You are the ones who decide what this means in a practical way and, of course, it is important to remember that every vote counts.
In a democracy, you not only have the right to vote, but also an obligation to participate in the country's decision-making process and to strive to understand what is the best decision for the future of the country, your families and the next generations.
The decision is yours. I urge everyone to use this opportunity to make your voices heard.