Political

Moldova Strengthens Military with EU Aid

Moldovan officials are prioritising improvements to the country's military with active support from the European Union.

This comes after the war in Ukraine highlighted potential security threats in the region. Jānis Mažeiks, the EU Ambassador to Chisinau, spoke about these issues on Radio Moldova's "La 360 de grade" (At 360 degree) program on Monday, March 4.

"Ukraine's resistance has helped weaken the military threat Russia posed to Moldova," Mažeiks said. "We believe it's crucial for Moldova to continue strengthening its defence sector, and we're actively supporting these efforts. Defence improvements have been a major area of progress for Moldova in the past two years."

While acknowledging there haven't been "dramatic changes" yet, Mažeiks pointed to significant progress, especially considering the historical lack of investment in the Moldovan army. "Building overall resilience is essential," he emphasised. "This goes beyond just military threats. It's about ensuring stability in all areas, from the justice system to fighting disinformation and achieving energy independence."

The EU has also provided substantial financial aid to Moldova in recent years. Ambassador Mažeiks highlighted a €1 billion support package to help the country weather multiple crises. "Our support for Moldova goes beyond specific projects," he explained. "The largest share of this €1 billion is directed towards the energy sector, including bill compensation, energy efficiency projects, and upgrades to lighting systems. Additionally, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided guarantees."

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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