Romanian Foreign Minister confident Moldova will open EU accession talks by year-end
Romania is actively working to ensure that the European Union opens negotiation clusters with the Republic of Moldova by the end of this year. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu stated that Romania stands by the authorities in Chisinau to counter Russia's cyber attacks and hybrid warfare.
"During discussions about the Republic of Moldova's potential accession to the European Union, it is crucial for us to ensure our support. Romania serves as a success story in terms of transition and economic growth. While not perfect, our journey demonstrates that despite our imperfections, we can be a valuable partner—particularly in areas such as technical assistance and pre-accession support. There is a strong alignment in our perspectives," stated Oana Țoiu in an interview with the Agerpres agency on July 24.
The official from Bucharest emphasized the need for a common and coordinated approach to counter cyber attacks and Russia's hybrid warfare against Moldova, noting that Romania is committed to helping Moldova in every way possible.
"Romania, along with its European and international partners, stands ready to assist the Republic of Moldova in combating cyber and hybrid attacks. It would be naive to think that any single country, or even two countries, can handle the intensity of organized efforts on their own. Just because Romania has previously managed to avoid significant threats doesn’t mean we have all the answers. We have capable teams and are committed to sharing our expertise with the Republic of Moldova. We are engaged in joint efforts to exchange best practices and ensure a common understanding within the EU and NATO, as well as in our bilateral relations. However, we must continue to improve our preparedness and enhance societal resilience," Oana Țoiu pointed out.
She stressed that effectively countering Russia's cyber attacks and hybrid warfare—including propaganda and disinformation—requires not only technical solutions but also medium- and long-term investments in critical thinking.
"People need to develop these skills, which can be fostered through better education, clearer dialogue, and tools to build resistance to propaganda, fake news, and misinformation. We must also recognize that for an extended period, there has been a coordinated effort by the Russian Federation to undermine the European Union's functioning model. The core idea that the EU and NATO are organizations dedicated to peace is being challenged by a misguided narrative pushed by Russia. Unfortunately, they are leveraging anxiety and fear to advance their agenda," added the head of Romanian diplomacy.
We remind you that Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu made her first visit to Chișinău on July 22, following her appointment in the government led by Ilie Bolojan. During her visit, she reiterated Romania's strong support for the Republic of Moldova's European path.
