With a war on the border and with imminent security risks, the Republic of Moldova in 2022 managed to show to the whole world its openness and affection for the people of Ukraine in tragic times, says the annual report on diplomatic activity presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, IPN reports.
The obtaining of the EU candidate status remains the biggest diplomatic accomplishment of Moldova in 2022. A part of the recommendations formulated by the European Commission have been already fulfilled.
Moldova in 2022 was connected to the transport and energy systems of the EU by synchronizing the national energy sector with the European ENTSO-E system, with Moldova being also included in RePowerEU. An agreement with the EU was signed to facilitate road freight transport.
Besides, the Republic of Moldova actively contributed to implementing solidarity corridors with Ukraine and attracted financial assistance from the EU for managing the flow of refugees and for reducing the country’s energy vulnerability.
The Ministry also mentioned the strengthening of strategic partnerships. Romania remains the main ally. “Together with Romania, we are united in condemning this war. We remain united in developing connectivity. We launched the process of joining the UE. The diplomatic services of the two countries work in a coordinated way and with common objectives. Bridges, roaming, interconnection of gas and electricity networks and Romanian assistance. These are all felt by each citizen,” noted the Ministry.
In 2022, there were held 87 bilateral meetings with foreign affairs minister of 44 states, the cooperation with other strategic parents, such as the UN, the CE, NATO and OSCE, being extended. The Republic of Moldova held the chairmanship of two regional organizations: GUAM and BSEC. In 2023, it takes over the presidency of the ICE.
“By a joint interinstitutional effort, we held in Berlin, Bucharest and Paris three editions of the Moldovan Support Platform that was co-founded by France, Germany and Romania. These involved over 40 countries, including the EU, G7, international organizations and financial institutions. The mobilized assistance enables us to manage the humanitarian crisis, to ensure social cohesion, to cope with the energy crisis while we are accelerating reforms and modernizing the country.”
The country also developed anticorruption diplomacy. “The U.S. and the UK sanctioned corrupt persons and entities affiliated to these persons that in time robbed Moldova of resources and hampered the country’s development. We continue discussions for the EU member states to also sanction the fugitive criminals.”
In 2022, there were digitalized consular services and the price of these will be reduced by 60% since 2023. Social protection agreements were signed with Greece, Estonia and Spain and an agreement on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses was signed with Lithuania. The procedures for converting the driver’s license in Germany were simplified. The recognition of documents of study was agreed with Romania and Italy.
Moldova’s ambassadors contributed to the promotion of national business entities. It January-October 2022, the country’s exports to the EU grew by over 40% compared with the corresponding period last year.
