Press Review // The accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union is not just an objective, but a concrete partnership, with immediate benefits for citizens
The main headlines reviewed in the media include a strong message of support for the Republic of Moldova on its path toward EU integration, conveyed to Chisinau by António Costa, the President of the European Council. Additionally, an investigation has uncovered several violations in the repair process of the Leova-Bumbata road. Furthermore, there have been new revelations regarding the case of the 13-year-old child who tragically died at the Mother and Child Institute.
The European Union reaffirms its strong commitment to the European future of the Republic of Moldova at a crucial moment for the region's security and stability. This statement was made by President of the European Council, António Costa, during an interview with Teleradio-Moldova. He emphasized that EU accession is not merely an objective but represents a concrete partnership that brings immediate benefits to citizens. In light of this year's parliamentary elections, Brussels is ramping up its efforts to combat disinformation, Russia's energy blackmail, and security threats, as mentioned by António Costa.
The head of the European Council visited Chisinau to mark three years since the Republic of Moldova submitted its EU membership application. TVR Moldova reports that during a joint press conference with President Maia Sandu, António Costa announced that Brussels would allocate an additional 60 million euros to support the Republic of Moldova's defence capabilities. This funding is part of the EU's ongoing efforts to enhance regional security and stability, with the amount set to be available this year.
However, former Romanian chief negotiator to the EU, Leonard Orban, warns that without domestic political will, Moldova's European path cannot progress. In an interview on Radio Moldova, Orban explained that although EU accession is a goal enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, the process could be slowed or even blocked if the government in Chisinau lacks commitment. He cautioned that if a new government is formed after the parliamentary elections that does not share the same enthusiasm as the current administration, it could affect the pace and progress of the accession negotiations.
Additionally, some experts believe that deteriorating relations between Ukraine and the US could negatively impact the security of the Republic of Moldova, which is susceptible to Kremlin interference. Political analyst Mihai Isac stated that under current conditions, the Republic of Moldova must strengthen its position within the European security architecture.
In other news, Ziarul de Garda has conducted a comprehensive investigation entitled "Leova – Bumbata: The Road to a Criminal Case," focusing on the "most expensive road in the Republic of Moldova," which has also been referred to as the "open-air corruption museum." This project, implemented on the Moldovan-Romanian border between 2022 and 2024, was put into operation in the summer of 2024, but discussions surrounding the legality of its procedures continue. The publication details documents, chronological facts, and new information on how and by whom the project was executed, highlighting issues such as contracts awarded without tenders and companies affiliated with civil servants.
The former "Gaudeamus" cinema has been completely demolished, according to headlines from agora.md. This demolition occurs against the backdrop of the Ministry of Culture announcing plans to go to court to request the cancellation of the construction permit for a 15-story building on the site of the former cinema. Although in 2020, the mayor of Chisinau, Ion Ceban, stated that he was categorically against the demolition, the Chisinau City Hall issued a construction permit for the apartment building in February.
Meanwhile, agora.md reports that a group of Moldovan filmmakers is demanding the renovation of the "Odeon" Cinema and an increase in funding for films. The petition #FacemFilmAcasă has been signed by over 300 individuals, calling for better conditions for film production in the country. The letter has been submitted to various officials, including Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan, and Minister of Finance Victoria Belous.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has announced that an organized criminal group led by Ilan Shor has supported several political parties, including some that appear to have pro-European projects. Ziarul de Garda notes that the illegal activities aimed to influence the outcome of the 2025 parliamentary elections. Among those implicated in the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office files are MP Marina Tauber, MP Alexandr Nesterovschi, MP Irina Lozovan, the Bashkan of the Gagauz Autonomous Region, Evghenia Guțul, a district councilor, and 15 heads of territorial offices of the former Shor political party, among others.
Additionally, Ziarul Național has published new details on the "INTERPOL" case. The suspects, including two heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, are alleged to have collected over 7 million euros from 28 criminals who were "cleansed" of their offenses by blocking red notices. Among those who benefited from this is Vladimir Plahotniuc. The Chief Prosecutor of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, Veronica Dragalin, signed final indictment orders yesterday against Viorel Ţentiu, the former head of the International Police Cooperation Directorate within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Mihail Vodă, the former head of the General Inspectorate for Migration, in connection with this criminal case. The evidence gathered indicates that several individuals, acting as an organized criminal group, successfully blocked Interpol’s "Red Notice" regarding various foreign fugitives from jurisdictions including China, France, Australia, Russia, and others.
The mother of a boy from Bubuieci, who died at the Mother and Child Institute, has filed a complaint with the police, as reported by IPN. The boy's relatives claim he was a victim of bullying at school and accuse the medical institutions involved in his hospitalization of negligence. They stated that in recent times, he had been repeatedly intimidated by classmates and was allegedly physically assaulted during a PE lesson, and then he was hospitalized. The 13-year-old boy, who suffered a leg injury, was initially treated at the "Valentin Ignatenco" Municipal Children's Clinical Hospital, before being transferred in serious condition to the Mother and Child Institute, where he passed away on February 25.
Lastly, an analysis by Mold-street.com explores how U.S. assistance to the Republic of Moldova has evolved and which programs have been impacted by the liquidation of USAID. The most recent aid agreement was signed just days before Donald Trump was inaugurated as U.S. president, amounting to a grant of 1.3 billion lei for the development of transport infrastructure and the enhancement of cyber resilience in public and state institutions. The cessation of U.S. assistance is said to impact the energy sector most significantly. Public data from the U.S. indicates that between 2001 and 2024, the allocation of technical and financial assistance worth $1.74 billion was projected through various programs, including road construction, energy system modernization, defense, agriculture, economic competitiveness, as well as justice reform and cybersecurity.
