Moldova matters to Sweden, and Sweden is ready to accompany Moldova on the road to the European Union. Per Olsson Fridh, the Director General of the Folke Bernadotte Academy in Sweden and former Swedish Minister of International Development Cooperation, came to Chisinau with this message. In an interview with IPN, Per Olsson Fridh, reflected on the role of Sweden, in particular of the institution he heads, in the transformation process of the Republic of Moldova, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation in key areas such as public administration and the security sector.
Mr. Fridh, welcome to Chisinau. You have had a distinguished career as Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation. What inspired you to take the helm of the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and how did you rediscover the meaning of international engagement in this role?
First of all, thank you for the invitation. I think it is clear to everyone today that we are living in very uncertain times, with great pressures on our societies and democracies, with many conflicts spreading, where the root causes of a conflict in one part of the world can often be linked to tensions in another corner of the planet. And this is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
I am convinced that it is only by working together that we can meet these challenges, contribute to strengthening common security and promote international efforts for peace and security. This is also the mission of the agency I lead, the FBA. I am therefore deeply honored and highly motivated to take up this position.
Diplomacy and development are often described in terms of politics and strategy. But, from a personal perspective, what is the most valuable human lesson you have learned from working with countries in a profound process of transformation, such as Moldova?
Relationships are the foundation of everything we build, but especially trust. When there is trust in a society, almost any threat can be met. I think the most important lesson I’ve learned in moving from diplomacy and politics to the practical work of peace-building and promoting security is that if you build strong relationships and good partnerships, you can achieve almost anything.
In recent years, Moldova has become an increasingly important strategic partner for both Sweden and the FBA. How would you characterize the nature of this partnership, given the current context and the importance of the moment in advancing Moldova’s European path?
Moldova matters to Sweden because your security is our security. We share many challenges, as well as many opportunities – we are two small countries, two democracies, willing to protect our citizens from external pressures, propaganda and disinformation.
Our collaboration is a mutual learning opportunity. I believe it is precisely this that motivates me and my colleagues in the FBA to strengthen our partnership with Moldova. It is about our common security. And if we manage to protect our democracies and stay on the path of European integration – as the people of Moldova have shown that they want – then this is good for both Moldova and Sweden.
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Moldova is currently undergoing a wave of ambitious reforms, as you mentioned, aimed at building a more democratic state. Why is it important for Sweden, especially the FBA, to support this process?
During my visit to Moldova, I was deeply inspired by the capacity and commitment of those involved to continue these democratic reforms, despite the challenges facing the country. It is important for us, as Sweden, as the FBA, to support this process and, where needed, to contribute to strengthening the capacities of the institutions that must take these reforms forward.
We believe that if you put the citizen at the center of public service and do the same in the security sector, then these institutions will gain people’s trust. And back to the first question again. Once you have trust in society, you also have social cohesion, which helps you to face the challenges and to continue on this path of progress and reform that Moldova has set itself.
A recent report by the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova to the Kingdom of Sweden highlights the key role that the FBA – and you personally – play in promoting a modern image of Moldova in Stockholm. Ambassador Liliana Gutan described you as “one of the most visionary leaders among Swedish development cooperation agenciesˮ. How do you welcome this recognition and what does it mean for the direction you have set in your cooperation with Moldova?
Thank you. I find myself in this description, but I consider it first and foremost a recognition of the work of the FBA team, of all my colleagues, of all the partners, including from Moldova. It shows that we can achieve results when we work together.
At FBA we pay great attention to listening to the real needs in the different environments in which we operate. Being a reliable partner for our partners in Moldova, listening to their needs and then shaping the projects, the processes we need to engage in together – I think this is one of the reasons why our partnerships are appreciated.
I would like to move on to programs and concrete things. The FBA, in partnership with the Swedish police, is conducting gender equality training for senior police officers in Moldova during 2025. What significance does this program have in a region undergoing such complex reforms and security challenges?
I want to emphasize once again, the security sector in the country is important. It is absolutely essential that people have confidence in it. It must also meet the needs of the entire population. Men and women have different security needs.
Through institutional transformation, making the police institution more gender-sensitive, gender-equal and gender-responsive leadership, the Moldovan police can also become more attentive to the security needs of women in society. This contributes to building trust and social cohesion, as well as to increasing citizens’ confidence in their own security service, to the detriment of propaganda or misinformation, which may come from security services in other states.
Do you plan to extend this program in 2026?
We are very pleased with the cooperation. The Swedish police and the FBA are working together with the Moldovan police and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to organize this program. And we have already seen some concrete examples of how the project has brought about real change in the Moldovan police.
We look forward to continuing this monitoring and then deciding with partners how to move forward. It is important that this process is not led by Sweden, but guided by the commitment that Moldova has shown. We will see what our partners in Moldova want. We are ready to adapt further and work closely together.
Another project is the widely acclaimed SPRINT program for young Moldovan civil servants. What long-term impact could this initiative have on the public sector in Moldova?
The SPRINT program has proven to be a catalyst for the modernization of public administration in Moldova. And the young civil servants who take part in these training courses, after graduation, are prepared to continue to develop as individual professionals, but above all to contribute to the country’s development. We have seen political initiatives, we have seen other kinds of initiatives, which have resulted from the SPRINT program and which have laid the foundations for a modernized and advanced public administration. And I am confident that this will continue.
Please tell us how many people have already participated in this program?
Over a hundred young civil servants have gone through the SPRINT program so far. We look forward to organizing similar activities together. What we are seeing now is an increasingly active involvement of civil servants who have probably gone through the first training module and are now involved as trainers for the new generation. Eventually, we are building a partnership where Moldova will be able to carry out this process autonomously, and the role of the FBA and international partners can change.
Sweden is often seen as an example of democratic governance and institutional resilience. Which aspects of the Swedish model would be relevant and applicable in the Moldovan context?
An essential element in Swedish public life is the high level of trust between citizens, between citizens and institutions. This trust comes from the fact that we have put people at the center of public service. I believe that this is also a highly relevant experience to which Moldova must adapt. The country is already moving in this direction. It is also the current responsibility of the public service in Moldova to continue along this path.
However, the future is unpredictable for both Sweden and Moldova. Therefore, we must be prepared to face the unknown and develop resilience. I think that, in this respect, Sweden also has a lot to learn from Moldova, because the challenges you are facing could also be the challenges for Sweden tomorrow. So we need to be resilient as partners.
What else can Sweden learn from Moldova’s experience?
Moldova is currently under pressure from hybrid threats and other security challenges. However, you are managing to make progress and advance on the European path, for example. You are implementing reforms in public administration. I think that this determination is certainly an inspiration for us as well, showing that we can face the challenges and, at the same time, make progress.
This is your first visit to Moldova. What impressed you in your interactions with Moldovan leaders, public officials or civil society partners?
I come back to the idea of dedication and the desire to work hard to build the future of one’s own country, so that Moldova can decide its own destiny and not remain passive in the face of what is happening around it.
I think more countries need to understand that, although we live in an uncertain and very worrying world, we still have the power to change it. We can also shape our future. But to do that, we need to stand up for the values and principles on which we want this world to be based. Moldova is doing exactly that and showing us the way. And when countries such as Sweden and other EU Member States work with Moldova, we too support these values and principles. Together we are stronger.
Looking ahead, what are the strategic priorities of the FBA in the Republic of Moldova? Can we expect the expansion of existing initiatives or the launching of new directions of cooperation?
Definitely. Moldova will have parliamentary elections in just a few months. Everybody is waiting to see whether there will be a new direction for the country or whether you will decide to continue on the path you are currently on. This is actually the foundation of democracy – putting power in the hands of the people.
There are many initiatives that Moldova has started and I am convinced that they will continue. The work we are doing with our partners here and the way we can support Moldova is based on the belief that every citizen counts when you want to shape the future of the country. Let us continue to work together – in the public administration, in the security sector – and, at the same time, to make sure that every citizen counts and is included in society, that they have a voice and that their needs are recognized and met by the public sector.
As an EU Member State, Sweden stands by Moldova. We value the partnerships we have in various sectors between our countries. However, we believe that this cooperation will become even stronger when Moldova joins the European Union. We hope one day to welcome Moldova as a full member of the European Union. This will, of course, be a decision for the Republic of Moldova alone, but Sweden is ready to share its own experience and accompany Moldova on its journey towards the EU.
To conclude, what message would you like to pass on to the new generation of civil servants in Moldova – to those who, day by day, contribute to building the European future of their country?
To remain dedicated and confident that a new generation of civil servants can change this country and take it forward, to know that their neighbors – the European Union, Sweden and other states – are by their side and are ready to remain reliable partners in the development of the Republic of Moldova.
Thank you for your opinion, for the interview!
Thank you for inviting me!
Milena Macarciuc, IPN