Retrospective of foreign policy in 2022. The most important achievements realised by the Republic of Moldova on the external level
Obtaining the status of a candidate country for EU accession, strengthening strategic partnerships through the bilateral visits of the best-known leaders of the European Union and the United States of America, the opening of new markets - were the most important achievements of foreign policy in 2022.
The beginning of 2022 had announced itself to be a quiet one on the external front, but with the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24, foreign relations both with the West, as well as with the east, took another turn.
Less than two weeks after the start of the war in the neighbouring country, the Republic of Moldova together with Ukraine submitted the application for accession to the European Union, and on June 23, they received the status of candidate countries for accession to the EU.
Financial support from the EU and other development partners such as the US, Japan and other financial institutions increased considerably in the past year. The money was provided in the form of macro-financial assistance and budget support, refugee crisis assistance and energy crisis management, including funding for the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund. The Ministry of Finance announced that in 2022 the Republic of Moldova received external assistance worth 670 million euros, much more than planned in the budget year.
A landmark of last year's foreign policy was the strengthening of strategic partnerships - says the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Daniel Vodă.
"We deepened our strategic partnerships with Ukraine, France, Germany, the USA, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Turkey, Japan, while promoting active diplomacy in a multilateral framework at the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe and in the relationship with NATO; we held the current presidency in two regional organisations - GUAM and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, and from 2023 we will take over the presidency of the Central European Initiative".
During 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from 44 states of the world, both in Chisinau and in other capitals. He participated in more than 40 multilateral meetings. Several high-ranking dignitaries also visited Chisinau, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the presidents of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, of France, Emmanuel Macron. Several European Commissioners, Prime Ministers and Presidents of Parliaments from EU countries made working visits.
In the segment of security and defence diplomacy, the EU Hub for internal security and border management, the Frontex Mission, was launched - to support border police officers in the activity of border crossing control and the enhancement of institutional capacities.
The Republic of Moldova had a clear position condemning the Russian military intervention, being in solidarity with Ukraine. He politically supported Ukraine within international organisations, including the UN, joining the countries that condemned Russia's aggression towards Ukraine and respected its international financial sanctions.
At the same time, the Republic of Moldova distanced itself from the Russian Federation on the grounds that it is an aggressor and a provocateur of the war in Ukraine, ignoring its participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The diplomacy of the Republic of Moldova in 2023 must focus on the fulfilment of the nine conditionalities, but also on the settlement of the Transnistrian dispute - according to expert Mihai Mogâldea.
"The start of negotiations for EU accession in 2023 is the main objective in terms of foreign policy" - stated Minister Nicu Popescu. In addition, according to him, partnerships with friendly countries will be strengthened, consular services for the diaspora will be improved and the promotion of the economic interests of the Republic of Moldova will be intensified.
