Four pro-European countries sign memorandum on elections free from hybrid attacks
The electoral institutions of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Albania, and North Macedonia have signed an agreement to protect democracies and enhance collaboration on their paths toward European Union membership. This agreement was formalized in Chisinau at the conclusion of the Regional Conference "Money in Politics 2026." It represents the first step in a long-term partnership focused on the organization of elections.
The memorandum commits four countries to ensuring free and fair elections while adapting their laws and regulations to align with European standards. A key aspect of this agreement is the joint effort to combat cyberattacks, misinformation, and hybrid threats that jeopardize democracy.
Angela Caraman, President of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), stated, “We have learned that democratic resilience cannot be built solely on legal norms. Institutions must cooperate with one another and be well equipped to make significant investments in expertise and security. We have also learned that transparency must be continually strengthened, and technology can be an ally of democracy.”
As all four states aspire to join the European Union, they will share experiences in various sensitive areas. These areas include regulating party and campaign financing, combating vote buying, digitalizing elections, and providing better training for officials responsible for organizing elections.
Igor Grosu, Parliament Speaker of the Republic of Moldova, emphasized during the conference, “We bring our practices and experiences, and this collaborative format allows us to learn from each other. The most important aspect is prevention, as intervening after elections often has more severe consequences. This is why the Republic of Moldova is doing everything it can to empower institutions and improve legislation to prevent illegal financing, especially during this period of rapid advancements in information technology and the rise of artificial intelligence.”
Other countries that wish to safeguard their democratic systems in accordance with the European model may also join this memorandum.
The "Money in Politics" conference, held in Chișinău on June 16-17, brought together electoral experts, law enforcement officials, and representatives from civil society across more than 20 countries.
