PM Tofan urges Turkish energy investment and regional ties
Moldova aims to double bilateral trade with Turkey to $2 billion within the next two years, leveraging annual growth rates of 20 to 25 percent. Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan announced the target during an interview with the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of a private visit to Istanbul.
Tofan underscored the expanding role of Turkish enterprise in Moldova, where approximately 1,200 firms operate across road infrastructure, energy, hospitality, and healthcare. Bilateral trade currently accounts for an estimated 5 percent of Moldova’s gross domestic product.
Strategic integration and renewable investments
Chisinau positions itself as an export platform for Turkish companies seeking direct access to the European Union single market. The prime minister noted that the country's EU integration path offers regulatory agility and investment guarantees.
Moldova is also urging Turkish capital into its green energy sector, where domestic renewable production now exceeds 30 percent. Tofan highlighted opportunities to construct renewable capacity tailored for domestic demand and regional exports to energy-deficit zones, including Ukraine.
Geopolitical anchoring in Gagauzia
The prime minister welcomed a stronger Turkish diplomatic and economic footprint, specifically through deeper cultural engagement in the Gagauz Autonomous Region. Tofan emphasized the Turkish-speaking minority's strategic role as an enduring cultural conduit between Chisinau and Ankara.
Tourism also remains a pivotal link, with roughly 400,000 Moldovan citizens visiting Turkey annually. Tofan invited Turkish travelers to explore destinations across Moldova and the Gagauz autonomy.
Regional security and border protocols
Addressing the broader geopolitical climate, Tofan reaffirmed Chisinau’s condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. He emphasized that while Moldova maintains constitutional neutrality, its security policies align directly with regional stability.
Regarding border control scrutiny affecting Turkish travelers at Chisinau International Airport, Tofan attributed the measures to heightened surveillance against illicit Russian networks operating in the region. He pledged to streamline protocols to protect genuine travelers while maintaining national security vigilance.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
