Nicu Popescu: The relations between the Republic of Moldova and the USA have never been stronger
The high-level meeting of the Republic of Moldova-USA Strategic Dialogue is being held today in Chisinau. Before the opening of the event, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, declared that relations between the two states have never been stronger than at present. For his part, the principal deputy of the assistant secretary of state of the USA, Dereck Hogan, noted and welcomed the determination of the Republic of Moldova to advance in the process of joining the European Union.
The head of Moldovan diplomacy stated that our country has ambitious plans in the foreign field and thanked the US for its support in the context of the military aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, mentioning the assistance of over 300 million dollars to minimize the impact of the war. The American package will be predominantly invested in the energy field and will ensure energy resilience, said Nicu Popescu.
Popescu emphasized that today's discussions will focus on four categories of important topics within the four working groups. "We work together to strengthen the rule of law and good governance, the fight against corruption. A second category concerns our security and defense and regional stability, the third concerns economic cooperation between our countries. The subjects related to security and energy resilience are also included here. The fourth working group, which will have its first full meeting, concerns public diplomacy and the development of links between our societies. We will focus on strategic communication. We also welcome the return of the Peace Corps to the Republic of Moldova on this occasion," continued the minister.
The US will continue to support the Republic of Moldova, Dereck Hogan said in his speech.
"We could see a historic change, an incredible desire and determination of the Republic of Moldova to advance further in the European community and the progress that was achieved. The US is proud to be a partner in all of this. When Russia started the war, we were on the side of Moldova, the Moldovans opened their doors to hundreds of thousands of refugees. The pandemic and the war affected Moldova's economy. Despite the difficulties, the US has helped and will continue to support Moldova. We have found other export markets. In the last speech in Warsaw, even Joe Biden recognized the result of the Republic of Moldova in living in a free world and achieving progress in the EU membership status. Despite the difficulties, you managed to advance on the path of reforms. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the Recean Government," said Dereck Hogan.
We mention that Dereck Hogan was the US ambassador to Chisinau in the period 2018-2022.
The Strategic Dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the USA was resumed in 2022 after a five-year break. At the last meeting, held last April in Washington, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu emphasized the importance of giving a concrete dimension to Moldovan-American relations.
It should be noted that Romania and the USA have committed to support the Republic of Moldova in the context of Russia's destabilizing actions, according to the Joint Declaration adopted yesterday in Bucharest within the eighth round of the Romania-USA Strategic Dialogue.
