Mircea Geoană: "We are perfectly respectful of Moldova's constitutional neutrality. You have to be stronger if you are neutral"

Moldova's neutrality status requires the strengthening of defence capabilities, the development of solutions to address security risks and threats in the context of the hybrid war waged by the Russian Federation. "Being neutral does not mean being weak in terms of security, on the contrary, you have to be stronger," NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană told journalists in Vilnius. The official added that in the Republic of Moldova, Soviet-style Russian propaganda is still being perpetuated by its heirs.

Doctors in the Republic of Moldova saved a patient's life by performing a first-ever hybrid endovascular procedure

Doctors in the Republic of Moldova have saved a patient's life by performing a first-ever hybrid endovascular and surgical intervention, the Ministry of Health announces. The 60-year-old patient was operated on at the Republican Clinical Hospital "Timofei Mosneaga". At present, his health condition is satisfactory and the patient has been discharged from hospital.

"In Context" // Sergiu Caraman: Most judges are willing to pass the external evaluation

The President of the Superior Council of Magistracy, Sergiu Caraman told the programme "In Context" that most judges are willing to pass the external evaluation. However, the success of the reform depends on those who are undecided who can tip the balance. The fact that the SJC will have the final say in the evaluation process plays an important role.

War in Ukraine // Night attacks on Kiev, there are casualties

Overnight attacks on Kiev have left at least one dead and four wounded, local authorities said Thursday, during the third night of air strikes on the Ukrainian capital where explosions were heard in several neighbourhoods, AFP and Agerpres report.

US President Joe Biden met with Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tihanovskaya in Vilnius

US President Joe Biden met Wednesday with exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tihanovskaya in Vilnius, where a NATO summit largely devoted to the war in Ukraine was taking place, the White House announced, AFP and Agerpres reported.

Increased security measures at the Lithuanian-Russian border. Bridge between the two countries closed to traffic

Increased security measures at the Lithuanian-Russian border. The bridge between the two countries, which represents the state border, is closed to car traffic. Because of the tense geopolitical situation, but also because of the growing flow of migrants arriving here via Belarus, officials in Vilnius have tightened border controls with Belarus as well. Checks have been steadily tightened since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Klaus Iohannis: NATO Summit decisions - an increased commitment to strengthening Moldova's resilience and security

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday that the decisions taken at the Vilnius Summit, as Romania had advocated, reflect NATO's increased commitment to strengthening Moldova's resilience, security and defence capabilities, Agerpres reported.

War in Ukraine // Ukrainian army makes progress near Bahmut

Kiev has been under siege from Russian-launched kamikaze drones for the second night in a row. According to the head of Ukraine's military administration, air defences shot down 11 of the 15 Russian-launched Shahed drones. Air alerts sounded for more than two hours in several areas of Ukraine as President Volodimir Zelenski was in Lithuania for the NATO summit.

Maia Sandu discussed Moldova's energy independence with USAID Deputy Administrator

Moldova's energy independence and connection to European energy systems were discussed today at the Presidency during a meeting between Head of State Maia Sandu and Erin McKee, Assistant Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Europe and Eurasia Office. The president welcomed USAID's request to the US Congress to provide more assistance to Moldova.

Mircea Geoană: Moldova's partnership with NATO could deepen

NATO is open to a deeper partnership with the Republic of Moldova, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geaonă told Radio Moldova in Vilnius. In this regard, the North Atlantic Alliance has received concrete requests from the authorities for certain projects it needs, he said.

"European Village Express": 399 projects worth about 170 million lei to be implemented

The executive will identify new funding opportunities for projects aimed at developing towns and rural areas. Thus, at the initiative of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments to the Single Programme Document (SPD) for the years 2022-2024, which will be supplemented with projects selected under the National Programme "European Village Express" - a continuation of the National Programme "European Village".

Zelenski insists on security guarantees and a clear invitation from NATO. Stoltenberg: "The war in Ukraine has global ramifications"

Political leaders of the North Atlantic alliance launch the NATO-Ukraine Council today. Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski met ahead of the council's first meeting. The allies propose a multi-year package to modernise Ukraine's armed forces and drop the Membership Action Plan. In this way Ukraine gets a shortcut. The plan represents a set of military and political standards that were applied by other Eastern European states before they were accepted into NATO. Ukrainian President Zelenski insists on security guarantees and a clear invitation from the alliance.