Today, 5 October, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi in Chișinău. During the meetings, Tsahkna stressed the need for close
cooperation at a time when Russia’s aggression is affecting the security of Estonia, Moldova and Europe more broadly.
“Moldova’s security is an integral part of European security. Both Estonia and Moldova have experienced that Russia’s aggression is not confined to Ukraine, but its effects also reach us. We will therefore continue our joint efforts both to support Ukraine and to increase pressure on Russia,” Tsahkna said.
According to the Foreign Minister, Moldova has demonstrated a clear desire to build a democratic future as part of the family of European Union countries, and Estonia fully supports Moldova on this path.
“Estonia is ready to share its experience of joining the EU and contribute to implementing the necessary reforms, because Moldova’s European path is a strategic choice that strengthens the security of both Moldova and Europe as a whole. Moldova has taken the necessary steps, and the EU must now respond by opening all negotiating clusters, which would enable Moldova to continue implementing the reforms needed for accession,” Tsahkna said.
Today, Foreign Minister Tsahkna will open the Estonian Embassy in Chișinău, the capital of Moldova. The opening of the embassy is an important step in strengthening relations between Estonia and Moldova and reaffirms Estonia’s long-term commitment to supporting Moldova’s European path.
“Relations between Estonia and Moldova have grown increasingly close in recent years. Estonia has supported development cooperation projects in Moldova since 2000, and Moldova is one of the priority partner countries of Estonia’s development cooperation. Estonia has supported Moldova in areas including strengthening resilience, cyber security, crisis management, education, entrepreneurship and EU integration. Following the opening of the embassy, we will be able to continue cooperation in all these areas more effectively,” Tsahkna said.
During his visit, the Foreign Minister will also meet in Chișinău with Speaker of Parliament Igor Grosu and Minister for European Affairs Cristina Gherasimov.
Tomorrow, the Foreign Minister will travel to Bălți, where, together with Foreign Minister Popșoi, he will open an Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) project aimed at supporting regional development in Moldova. Tsahkna will then meet students and academic staff at Alecu Russo State University of Bălți, as well as representatives of the local media.
Photos from the visit to Moldova and the opening of the embassy.
Additional information:
Communication Department
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