Statement

You are strengthening your national security and your resilience, and by nearly doubling defence spending this year. And you are firmly committed to your European future, as we saw when you hosted the second European Political Community meeting in Chisinau last week, when NATO AWACS helped secure the skies of Chisinau.

We also deeply appreciate Moldova’s contributions to NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, helping to promote stability in this critical region at a time of heightened tensions.

The Republic of Moldova contributes to Euro-Atlantic security. NATO supports Moldova’s security, in full respect of your constitutional neutrality.

NATO is stepping up political and practical support in line with your requests, including through an enhanced defence capabilities building package, to support the development and modernisation of Moldova’s defence and security institutions with cybersecurity, strategic communications, and training and education.

Allies fully support the Republic of Moldova’s European integration. And our cooperation will help you to implement the necessary reforms on the path to EU membership.

The Republic of Moldova’s future is in the family of European democracies. It has never been more important, and our cooperation has never been closer.

We look forward to welcoming the Republic of Moldova to the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius in July. Thank you again, dear Minister, dear Nicu, for your personal leadership and commitment. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership.