The Republic of Moldova will assume the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers with the utmost responsibility and will focus its mandate primarily on facilitating the Council of Europe’s support for Ukraine. The statement was made by Speaker Igor Grosu at the meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s (PACE) Standing Committee, held today in Chișinău.
Grosu stressed the symbolic significance of Moldova taking over the Chairmanship in the year marking the 30th anniversary of its accession to the Council of Europe—at a moment of major importance for the country’s European trajectory.
“Thirty years ago, when Moldova became a member of the Council of Europe, European values were flourishing, and people believed in a united Europe where peace prevailed. Today, as we take over the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, war has returned to the European continent, and the European values we rely on are under threat,” Grosu said.
The Speaker noted that the full-scale war in Ukraine brought into sharper focus Moldova’s own vulnerabilities—fragile democratic institutions, energy dependence, and limited capacity to protect its citizens. According to him, Moldovans realized that only by standing with free and democratic European states can the country secure its future.
“Moldova understood the need for profound reforms—to become stronger, so it can no longer be blackmailed, threatened, or manipulated by a neighbor with imperial ambitions. Moldovans understood that only together with free and democratic European states can we safeguard our country. Today we speak about a Moldova that knows what it wants, that has firmly chosen the path to EU accession, and that does not look back,” he emphasized.
Despite the challenges, Grosu highlighted that Moldova has rapidly strengthened its energy security, consolidated its international presence, increased investment in education and healthcare, and reinforced institutions responsible for preventing and sanctioning electoral corruption and the illegal financing of political parties.
“All this was possible thanks to the resilience and wisdom of Moldovans, the courage of Ukrainians, and the support of our European partners, who did not leave us alone when we needed help the most,” he added.
Grosu reiterated that Moldova will use its Chairmanship to reinforce support for Ukraine within the Council of Europe.
“We know what it means to build democracy from scratch, to live for years under manipulation, disinformation, and blackmail. We will not return to that. We will approach this Chairmanship with full responsibility, and throughout our mandate we will concentrate first and foremost on facilitating support for Ukraine. We do not forget for a moment that Moldova and all of Europe are being defended by Ukraine. Moldova is an ally of free and democratic nations, deeply committed to preserving and strengthening European values and the European Union—because that is our home, and that is where we are heading,” Grosu concluded, thanking the attending delegates for their long-standing support.
The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova is hosting, on 20–21 November, the meetings of PACE’s Standing Committee, bringing together around 60 parliamentarians from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. The event coincides with Moldova’s tenure as Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, from 14 November 2025 to 15 May 2026.
The Parliamentary Assembly is one of the Council of Europe’s two statutory bodies, alongside the Committee of Ministers. Moldova joined the Council of Europe on 13 July 1995 and previously held the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers in 2003.