Russian propaganda is focused on discrediting and distorting everything related to the European Union, with the Kremlin continuously trying to implant the false perception that economic dependence on the EU is a risk and a problem. This statement was made by the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, Dumitru Alaiba, during the February 4 edition of the TVR Moldova program “Punctul pe AZi.”
“Ask any entrepreneur who sells in the EU whether they encounter issues with corruption, various conditions, logistics, or bureaucratic obstacles. There is a clear set of rules, and everyone follows them. Russian propaganda remains a problem, but the economic topics are a target of this machinery. The good news is that people see and understand, and we are trying to explain,” said Dumitru Alaiba.
The minister also stated that it is the duty of the entire community to frequently discuss the European Union’s investments in local communities across Moldova.
“Some regions benefit significantly from this assistance and do not realize it. They either don’t know or don’t want to know. It is where we need to work together. It’s not just the effort of one ministry or government; it requires mobilization at the societal level.”
In contrast to the support offered by the EU, the Kremlin relies on disinformation and fear-mongering, the minister added.
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“The most important question to ask is: why? If they had a better solution, a better project, why wouldn’t they invest the same money and resources in their initiative? Why does the Kremlin do this? Because Russia does not have a viable alternative. To keep people stuck in place, they have to scare them. The EU is not the nonsense Kremlin promotes—it stands for freedom, prosperity, peace, civilization, order, law, and much more.”
“About 10–15 years ago, the alternative being pushed was the Eurasian Union, and the so-called pro-Europeans of today were waving their flag, advocating for Moldova’s integration into the Customs Union. Where are those brave voices now? They’ve wrapped themselves in a false pro-European image,” Alaiba said. “Before elections, supporters aggressively promoted Russia as Moldova’s main economic partner.” I am not saying Russia cannot be a trade partner. We are not discouraging any entrepreneur from working in the Russian market. What has happened in the past 15 years has been the entrepreneurs’ own decision, given that the Kremlin itself closed its market to them.”
The European Union remains Moldova’s primary export destination.”In 2024, Moldovan exporters sent over 67% of total exports to the European market, while only 7% reached the CIS.” The principal destination countries were Romania, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, and the Czech Republic, while exports to Russia accounted for just 3%.
Moldovan fruit is increasingly in demand in the European market. “In 2024, Moldovan producers exported record quantities of apricots, apples, and grapes to the EU.” That same year, Moldova made its first-ever exports of chicken meat and eggs to the European market.