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Thank you.  

Dear Members of the press,  

President Sandu, Dear Maia,  

Thank you for your warm welcome, here in Moldova. It is really a pleasure to be here. 

The partnership between the European Union and Moldova grows stronger every day. 

Our discussions today covered a broad range of topics, including Russia’s war in Ukraine. 

The European Union is a peace project. It is clear that we want peace, Moldovans want peace, Ukrainians want peace, Europeans want peace. But the reality is that Putin is escalating attacks and it is making it clearer that he doesn't want peace. It takes two to want peace, it only takes one to want war. We have to keep supporting Ukraine, [so] that they are able to defend themselves.  

Moscow’s war also has direct implications for Moldova. From energy blackmail to disinformation campaigns and the repeated violation of Moldova’s airspace, Russia’s pressure has been persistent. 

That is why the European Union will also keep supporting Moldova in strengthening your security, and through security, [ensuring] also peace and prosperity.  

First, I am also pleased today to announce that we have agreed an extra package of €60 million to Moldova as part of the broader efforts to build Moldova’s resilience to external threats.  

This also includes strengthening air defence capabilities to help prevent Russian missiles and drones from falling on Moldovan territory, like you were mentioning. 

Overall, our assistance through the European Peace Facility now totals nearly €200 million. The focus is on Moldova becoming stronger and safer for its citizens. 

Second, European Union Member States are ready to support Moldova safeguard the integrity of electoral processes. 

At the request of your authorities, the European Union will deploy a Hybrid Rapid Response Team to consolidate institutional capacity and to support you in your efforts to ensure proper functioning of election infrastructure – which is very important – and to prevent disinformation spreading online. 

Third, the European Union will continue to help Moldova build up resilience to hybrid threats and strengthen their crisis preparedness. 

We deeply value Moldova’s security. Moldova's security is also European security. 

Today, we also discussed Moldova’s strong progress toward European Union membership. 

You have made impressive strides in tackling corruption, advancing justice reforms, and upholding democratic values and the rule of law. 

It is vital to sustain the high pace of reforms. 

The European Union will stand with Moldova every step of the way until [its] very membership. 

The journey is already bringing real benefits to your economy and to the daily lives of Moldovans. 

In March, the European Union approved a historic €1.9 billion Growth Package for Moldova, our most ambitious support package since your independence. 

What will this package do? First, it will boost Moldova’s prosperity. Second, it will drive reforms in areas like public administration, justice, and energy. Third, [it will] also unlock investment in infrastructure and digital connectivity. 

Moldova’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area is another concrete step forward. It is already delivering benefits such as making euro transactions faster, safer and more affordable for citizens and businesses alike. 

And of course, you also mentioned roaming. This is a very clear benefit for the regular people of Moldova. 

This is only the beginning. 

President Sandu,  

Thank you once again for hosting me.  

I think our meeting is an important step for the first-ever European Union–Moldova Summit later this year. 

Our strong engagements are a powerful symbol of Moldova’s European destiny.  

Thank you for that. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-271094 

Q&A 

Q: My question is about the largest military support package for the Republic of Moldova. As we know, it is € 20 million, and is part of the package that you just announced. We want to know when this military package is going to be approved, and also when is Moldova expected to receive the first equipment?

Also, regarding the disinformation, how is the European Union going to help Moldova to cope with the Foreign Interference and Disinformation? 

Additionally, in this context. Fugitive Gheorghe Cavcaliuc, which is also a party leader, announced today that he is no longer under the European Union sanctions list. We know that the European Union said already this is not true. I would ask you to clarify this. 

Also you mentioned Moldova’s progress towards the European Union accession. I would like to ask you when will the first cluster of negotiations with the Republic of Moldova is going to be opened. 

This whole package is € 60 million this year for Moldavian defence forces, from the European Facility. Of course, when you ask on the timing, the procurement will begin soon. There are some market constrains, so I cannot give you a concrete date. But if we look at the previous deliveries, then these have already arrived, and our aim is to really help to modernize the Moldovan defence forces. Today, we also saw all these types of equipment that is bought with European money. I think this is extremely important. 

Then, on the fight against disinformation: it is good that you tied it also with this person’s claim that he has been delisted. It shows that we need to fight disinformation. First, I must tell you he has not been delisted, the sanction system is still in place, and it is clear there are no such points made. But it also shows that this disinformation comes from all kinds of sources – and we really need also the support to fight this kind of disinformation.  

It is also [about] the resilience of democracy; what we are doing. We are supporting Moldova’s strategic communication center – I think this is extremely important – and also cooperating with the social media platforms, countering and removing the harmful content, because Moldova is a small country and the big platforms very often do not want to deal with that.  

There are also the tools that are there – but it is clear that it is very hard. It is also [about] media literacy of people, that needs to be developed further. That people understand what misinformation is and what is not, and how they can also be manipulated. Here, of course, journalists are also doing a great job, so thank you for that. 

• Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-271095