Remarks

by NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană with the Prime Minister of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilița

  • 07 Feb. 2023 -
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  • Last updated: 07 Feb. 2023 18:42

(As delivered)

Prime Minister Gavrilita,
Dear Natalia,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to NATO Headquarters.

The Republic of Moldova is a close NATO partner. And we are committed to deepening our cooperation.
With full support for your independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

For almost 30 years, NATO and the Republic of Moldova have worked together in many ways.

NATO has helped Moldova to destroy hazardous pesticides, improve cyber defences, and enhance good governance in your armed forces.

We are also grateful for Moldova’s contributions to our peacekeeping mission in Kosovo since 2014.

Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe. It has fundamentally changed our shared security. It has led NATO Allies and partners to review and reinforce their security and defence policies. This is a true strategic awakening in Europe.

This includes the historic decisions by Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership. Russia’s war has caused immense economic and social pressure on Moldova. And Russian missile strikes on Ukraine pose a direct threat to Moldova’s security.

At the NATO Summit in Madrid last year, we decided to step up political and practical support for the Republic of Moldova, to support your resilience and political independence.

At our meeting in Bucharest, our Foreign Ministers reviewed our support, together with Minister Popescu.

Tailored support for Moldova will also be on the agenda when NATO Defence Ministers meet here in Brussels next week.

Dear Prime Minister,
I want to commend Moldova’s commitment to continuing reforms.
And your principled position in condemning Russia’s war.

I also commend the impressive generosity of the Moldovan people, who have been helping and sheltering Ukrainian refugees for almost a year now.

Finally, let me thank you for your offer, through NATO, to provide search and rescue personnel to our Ally Türkiye, in the aftermath of yesterday's tragic earthquakes.

This is deeply appreciated.

Dear Prime Minister, Thank you again for coming today. And I invite you to say a few words.