Moldova strengthens its strategic partnership with North Carolina
Moldova’s partnership with North Carolina in the United States remains durable and pragmatic and delivers concrete results that directly benefit citizens, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi said at the opening of the bilateral cooperation committee meeting. The event took place on May 5 in Chișinău and U.S. Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall co chaired it.
Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi highlighted the steady growth of the partnership over more than two decades.
“Cooperation with North Carolina directly supports key sectors in Moldova through projects that reach communities and create tangible impact on institutions and daily life. From education and healthcare to agriculture and security, these initiatives address real needs and support our efforts to modernize and develop,” Mihai Popșoi said.
North Carolina’s Secretary of State praised the high level of bilateral relations and reaffirmed a commitment to strengthen and expand them, stressing the importance of institutional and people-to-people ties.
“The partnership between North Carolina and Moldova does not depend on distance but on shared values, cooperation, and a drive to create opportunities for citizens. Over the years, this collaboration has supported economic growth, strengthened institutions, and improved quality of life, showing that consistent commitment brings lasting results,” Elaine F. Marshall said.
Participants reviewed progress on joint projects and identified new directions for future cooperation. Talks focused on priority areas such as security and defense, education, agriculture, healthcare, and academic, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges.
They also highlighted successful initiatives, including cooperation between the Technical University of Moldova and North Carolina State University to develop an agricultural extension platform and launch pilot advisory centers for farmers, as well as health partnerships between the Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy and institutions in North Carolina in fields such as pharmacy, dentistry, and nursing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted upgrades to university libraries through new books and equipment, academic mobility and professional training programs, cooperation with the North Carolina National Guard through joint training and exercises, and cultural and educational initiatives.
The Moldova North Carolina partnership, launched in 1999, covers a wide range of areas from economic and educational cooperation to defense and humanitarian action. In 2026, the partners mark 27 years of civil cooperation and 30 years of defense collaboration, milestones that confirm the strength and relevance of this long term relationship.
