Historic year in Moldova–Israel relations marked by Chișinău embassy and record trade
The year 2025 was notably significant for Moldovan-Israeli relations, being described as "a historic year" by Alex Roitman, the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the State of Israel. In an interview with Anatol Caciuc for Radio Moldova, the diplomat emphasized that the intensity of political dialogue took place at all levels and across most areas of mutual interest.
Embassy in Chisinau, after 30 years of bilateral relations
After over 30 years of bilateral relations, in February of this year, the Embassy of the State of Israel and its consular section were inaugurated in Chisinau, an event appreciated as "a true success of Moldovan diplomacy". At the same time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Gideon Saar, visited the Republic of Moldova twice in a single year, an unprecedented fact.
Also, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, paid a working visit to the State of Israel, which the ambassador considers very productive.
The diplomat mentioned that bilateral documents of particular importance in the fields of trade and economy, justice and agriculture were signed in Jerusalem and Chisinau, "marking a new stage in trade and business relations between the two countries".
The highest level of bilateral trade since Independence
Although the Israeli market is a very specific and often protectionist one, and for the Republic of Moldova the trade balance remains negative, the volume of Moldovan products exported to the Israeli market has increased significantly.
Bilateral trade reached about 42 million US dollars in the first nine months of the year – the highest level since independence – and is expected to reach about 50 million dollars by the end of the year.
“Moldovan exporters have managed, with our guidance, to access the Israeli market. We are talking, first of all, about the marketing of wheat, furniture, fresh and dried fruits, oilseeds, wines and natural juices”, Alex Roitman said.
The declaration of intent in the field of agriculture, signed during the Minister of Agriculture of the State of Israel's visit to Chisinau in September, is already having concrete effects on bilateral trade.
"A large part of the economic exchanges is represented by wheat from the Republic of Moldova, which Israel purchases preferentially. At the same time, our country can, based on the aforementioned document, access state-of-the-art technologies and equipment from Israel for the development of intensive agriculture, rather than extensive agriculture. These and many others are part of the opportunities obtained through our actions in the last year," said the ambassador.
Also, the diplomat added that this year several businesses with Israeli capital were launched in the fields of IT, construction and medicine, which are already enjoying success on the local market. Another essential element highlighted is the operation of approximately 20 weekly flights on the Tel Aviv–Chisinau route.
Ambassador's house hit by a ballistic missile
Regarding security issues, the diplomat noted that the war in Israel affected certain spheres of cooperation and also affected him personally. In the confrontation with Iran, the block of flats where he lived was hit by an Iranian ballistic missile, an incident that led to the evacuation of about 400 families.
"The activity related to providing consular support to our citizens has increased noticeably. It was necessary to overcome the consequences of this unfortunate situation quickly and to fully focus on helping the citizens of the Republic of Moldova evacuate from Israel, through Egypt," the ambassador emphasized.
Referring to crisis management projects and the exchange of experience in emergencies, Alex Roitman highlighted the visit to the Republic of Moldova of representatives of Magen David Adom - Israel's national organization for pre-hospital emergency medical services and transfusion services. Also this year, a representative of the General Inspectorate of Carabinieri of the Republic of Moldova participated in a course organized by MASHAV in the State of Israel, focused on community policies in emergencies.
Priorities for 2026
Among the priorities for 2026 is the organization of the meeting of the Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the State of Israel. It has not met since 2014, and the ambassador hopes that the electoral processes in Israel, where parliamentary elections are coming up, will not affect these plans.
"We have a series of bilateral documents in various fields, ready for signing, which are waiting for the right moment. Exchanges of visits and many other related actions are expected, which I am sure you will hear about in the coming year", declared for Radio Modova the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the State of Israel, Alex Roitman.
