DORIN RECEAN, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, said that peace, security, prosperity and free choice are at the core of his country’s agenda, noting that generations of its intellectuals have fought for the Republic of Moldova’s independence and freedom.  “After 33 years of independence, we see it in the confidence of our youth, in the revitalization of our culture,” he emphasized. Observing that the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine threatens the fabric of the international order, he added that it throws the country back to the times of great power politics, when a large State pursues its “cynical geopolitical designs” to divide the region into spheres of influence and annex smaller neighbours.  For the Republic of Moldova, this is not “a mere distant memory but a looming threat”, he said, observing:  the “Kremlin doesn’t want us at the table.  The Kremlin wants us on the table.”  Compulsion of “raw force” are now perpetuated with hybrid warfare, malign influence and subversion of the democratic State, he noted, stating that even mature democracies find it difficult to cope with them.

Therefore, Ukraine is fighting not only for its statehood, nation and its very existence — it is fighting for each nation’s freedom to choose and pursue its national aspirations, he said.  Despite the war at its border, his country continued to contribute to regional security.  “We have preserved peace and security in Moldova,” he stressed, observing that it has welcomed over 1 million Ukrainian refugees.  Further, the country is committed to a peaceful resolution of the Transnistrian conflict.  “Moldova’s destiny belongs to Moldovans, not outside powers,” he stressed, emphasizing that subversion and external intimidation have no place in the twenty-first century.  Noting that the social compact of the Republic of Moldova’s society is individual freedoms, competitive elections and open society, he reiterated that it is not a “Kremlin satellite State”.  He continued: “Despite flooding Moldova with illicit money, propaganda and falsehoods and waging a fully-fledged hybrid attack, the Kremlin has failed to divide our house against itself.”

Also emphasizing that his country is no longer a “grey zone” — a profitable money laundering enterprise for unscrupulous oligarchs and foreign powers — he spotlighted the Republic of Moldova’s progress in “cleaning-up” the justice system and law enforcement.  Despite the proximity to the war zone, the Republic of Moldova’s business environment is improving, small and medium enterprises have a better outlook and exports of high-quality products are picking up due to access to European markets. Also, the country’s energy independence can no longer be used to “blackmail and extract geopolitical concessions”.  Crucially, the Republic of Moldova has “genuinely” opened itself to the world.  In recognition of the country’s progress, European Union leaders unanimously agreed to open accession negotiations.  “This is our most significant achievement since independence, and we are committed to be ready to join the EU by 2030,” he stressed.

On 20 October 2024, the Republic of Moldova will reaffirm its European choice in a referendum to enshrine European Union integration into its Constitution.  While Moscow wants to “keep Moldova captive in its past”, Moldovan people will not return the country to oligarchs, who plunder the State.  “We will not be dragged back into a sphere of influence that does not reflect our aspirations,” he stressed.  The people of that country chose freedom and Europe.  Turning to climate change, he reaffirmed the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to work alongside the international community to turn the pledges of the General Assembly’s Pact for the Future into concrete actions.  “Moldova stands at a historic crossroads, both as a nation and as a member of the international community,” he stressed, adding that his country chooses peace, democracy and the rule of law over war, authoritarianism and repression.  “For us this means Europe.  It is our choice,” he added.