OPINION | Moldova emerges as a respected voice globally, reflected in Maia Sandu’s role at the Paris Peace Forum
The Republic of Moldova is becoming increasingly influential in global conversations about peace, security, and the protection of democracies. Experts view our country's participation in the Paris Peace Forum, scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, as a confirmation that, despite being a small nation, the Republic of Moldova has emerged as an example of democratic resilience in a region facing significant challenges.
Forum with International Significance and European Focus
The Peace Forum is described as "an event comparable in scale to Davos," but with a strong emphasis on European and Francophone issues, according to journalist Dan Alexe, a Teleradio-Moldova correspondent in Brussels.
"This forum has been in existence since 2018, created by Emmanuel Macron based on the Davos model, but it is heavily oriented towards Francophone countries. All heads of state from Francophone nations, including the Republic of Moldova and Romania, are invited to participate," the journalist stated during Radio Moldova's "Zi de zi" program.
The event is significant for our country, as it offers the opportunity for bilateral meetings with leaders of candidate states for EU accession, the journalist said.
"President Maia Sandu can meet there, in a bilateral format, with heads of state from Montenegro and Macedonia, who are already in negotiations with the European Union. Such an exchange of experience would be very interesting and useful for the Republic of Moldova", said Dan Alexe.
The journalist also added that the forum represents "an open door to the challenges we are going through: the digital revolution, sustainable development, democratic governance and freedom of the press, which, by the way, Maia Sandu will speak about".
The lessons of the Republic of Moldova on democracy and correct information
The advisor to the President of the Republic of Moldova for public communication, Igor Zaharov, mentioned on the same program on Radio Moldova that the message Maia Sandu will convey at the forum will be a "*clear" one: peace remains the most important objective of the Republic of Moldova.
"It is a broad forum, which brings together world leaders and experts from all over the world to discuss and find solutions to the biggest problem facing our continent: peace. And President Maia Sandu is participating, again this year, with a clear message: peace is our most important objective, everyone's", declared Igor Zaharov.
The presidential advisor also said that Maia Sandu will highlight, in her speech today in Paris, the role of independent media, an essential element in protecting democratic processes.
"Our information space, we all saw in the last elections, how fragile it can be when it is attacked, exposed to disinformation, manipulation and external interference. Therefore, it is very important to address how we protect this space, especially in the online environment", pointed out Zaharov.
He noted that the Republic of Moldova is increasingly in demand abroad to share its experiences in combating disinformation and foreign interference in democratic processes.
*“We had three electoral cycles in a row - referendum, presidential and parliamentary - and we went through them preserving democracy and stability. The lessons we learned are sought after by European countries and others that are about to have elections,” said Zakharov.
“We have become a knowledge center that knows how to fight hybrid warfare”
Military expert Artur Leșcu believes that the Republic of Moldova is becoming increasingly relevant in debates on peace and security, and is appreciated for its experience in information resilience.
“It is of major importance, it is a world-class forum and our country’s participation can only make us happy. When leaders of countries discuss problems, direct, positive consequences can also arise,” Leșcu declared on the “Zi de zi” show on Radio Moldova.
He added that the Republic of Moldova is "the spearhead of the fight against disinformation and hybrid warfare", and that it already has practical experience in managing information attacks.
"We have become that pole of knowledge that knows how to fight against hybrid warfare, against disinformation. We know how to withstand these attacks, and it is good that the West wants to learn this path from us", said Artur Leșcu.
According to experts, the Republic of Moldova's participation in the Paris Peace Forum is no longer just a diplomatic gesture but a contribution to international efforts to maintain peace and defend democracy.
President Maia Sandu will represent the Republic of Moldova at the Paris Peace Forum on Wednesday, October 29. During the event, the head of state will deliver a speech in a session dedicated to the integrity of information and the role of independent media.
The Paris Peace Forum, now in its eighth edition, was launched in 2018 at the initiative of President Macron and annually brings together political leaders, experts and civil society representatives from around the world to discuss solutions to significant global challenges: peace and security, sustainable development and good democratic governance.
