As the Middle East grapples with intensifying tensions, Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, affirmed the nation’s unwavering support to both Ukraine and its smaller neighbor, Moldova. This strong diplomatic gesture comes even in the face of the current crisis involving Israel and Hamas.
Baerbock, a notable figure from the Green Party, made these remarks before heading to the Moldovan capital, Chișinău, for her participation in the fourth iteration of the ‘Moldova Support Conference’ scheduled for Tuesday.
Acknowledging the turmoil in the Middle East, Baerbock stated, “While today’s diplomacy demands our attention on the ongoing crisis, not a shred of our commitment towards Ukraine and our Eastern European partners like Moldova will wane.”
Historically, Germany, alongside France and Romania, initiated the ‘Moldova Platform’ in April 2022, aimed at preserving the sovereignty and statehood of Moldova. The first three iterations of this donor conference, held in Berlin, Bucharest, and Paris respectively, raised over a billion euros in aid for Moldova.
Furthermore, Baerbock expressed, “Just as before, Moldova can rely on us today. Moldova’s candidacy for EU membership stems from the geopolitical consequences of Russian aggression.”
Moldova, like Ukraine, was granted the status of a candidate for European Union membership last June. An anticipated decision from Brussels this coming December will determine the initiation of membership negotiations with both nations.
Baerbock recognized the “monumental achievements and ambitious reform agenda set by Moldova in the past 18 months towards EU accession.” However, she also highlighted the looming challenges, considering the economic landscape. She pointed out the Russian attempts to destabilize Moldova, using tactics like spreading misinformation on social media and employing paid protesters.
Baerbock further emphasized her intentions to explore avenues for elevating this support to a new pinnacle, suggesting that these discussions should pivot around amalgamating structural assistance with political backing, all in preparation for EU accession.
Moldova remains politically divided between factions that lean towards Europe and those favoring Russia. Since the 1990s, Russian troops have been stationed in the separatist region of Transnistria, a narrow land strip bordering Ukraine. This region is believed to house a vast ammunition depot tracing back to the Soviet era. This geopolitical tangle makes Germany’s commitment all the more significant, symbolizing the European unity and resilience in the face of external adversities.
