Moldova and Lithuania to launch direct flights amid closer security ties
Moldova and Lithuania will launch direct flights between Chisinau and Vilnius starting April 1, 2026. Foreign Ministers Mihai Popșoi and Kęstutis Budrys announced the move during a high-level diplomatic meeting in Chisinau on February 6.
Beyond aviation, the two nations are bolstering their strategic alignment in defense and security. The partnership focuses on countering hybrid threats and accelerating Moldova’s integration into the European Union.
“Our friendship is authentic, built on mutual respect and a shared European future,” stated Vice-Premier Mihai Popșoi. He emphasized that the new flight route symbolizes the growing physical and political proximity between the two states.
Minister Budrys reaffirmed Vilnius's commitment to Moldova’s territorial integrity. He highlighted Lithuania’s role in providing cyber-defense expertise through the EU Partnership Mission to strengthen Chisinau’s institutional resilience.
Addressing the regional security landscape, Budrys noted that Moldova is no longer a passive recipient of aid. Instead, the country has become an active contributor to regional stability by managing complex external interference.
The diplomatic agenda included meetings with President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu. These discussions followed a recent visit by the Baltic parliamentary speakers, further cementing the "Baltic-Moldovan" strategic axis.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
