Romania is the Republic of Moldova’s main partner, with the strategic relationship between the two countries representing a major asset for Moldova, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said during a TV program.
According to Popsoi, the relationship between Chisinau and Bucharest, based on a shared language, history and traditions, makes it easier for Moldova to advance its interests in Brussels and address major challenges.
The foreign minister praised Romania’s support during successive crises, including assistance for farmers affected by drought, support in the energy sector and joint infrastructure projects.
“During the successive crises we have gone through, Romania has come to our aid every time. I am referring to support for farmers in times of drought, support in the energy sector and the interconnection we are building together,” Popsoi said.
He added that relations between Chisinau and Bucharest have reached an unprecedented level of closeness and trust.
“The closeness between Bucharest and Chisinau has never been stronger than it is now. The level of trust is very high, and we will always be grateful to our brothers across the Prut for this solidarity,” Popsoi said.
Moldova-Ukraine Relations
Popsoi also described Moldova’s relationship with Ukraine as highly stable, noting significant progress in recent years.
He attributed the strengthening of bilateral ties to political cooperation, including between President Maia Sandu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as to the support Moldovan citizens provided to Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Our relationship with Ukraine is as solid as it can be. Cooperation has not always been excellent, but for several years now it has been very good thanks to the close relationship between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Maia Sandu, as well as cooperation at the government and parliamentary levels and between our people,” Popsoi said.
He highlighted the fact that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees were received in Moldova, saying that the solidarity shown by Moldovan citizens helped build trust between the two countries.
Moldova and the European Union
The foreign minister also praised the European Union’s continued support for Moldova and said Chisinau maintains excellent relations with all EU member states.
“As head of Moldovan diplomacy, I am very pleased to say that we have an excellent relationship with absolutely all the member countries of the European Union,” Popsoi said.
He pointed to visits by senior European officials as evidence of the political support Moldova has received, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Popsoi also highlighted visits by the presidents of the Baltic states, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Polish President Andrzej Duda.
According to the minister, Moldova’s international partnerships have provided political, diplomatic and economic support during a particularly challenging period.
Strategic Partnership with the United States
Popșoi also described Moldova’s strategic partnership with the United States as strong, citing investments and cooperation in energy, security, defense and cybersecurity.
He specifically mentioned the Straseni-Gutinas power transmission line and a $130 million grant aimed at strengthening Moldova’s energy resilience and regional energy security.
He also referred to $36 million in US support for security and defense, as well as assistance in the cybersecurity sector.
“The relationship with the United States is as solid as it can be. We see through concrete results that our American partners are deeply engaged in our region and are providing support,” Popsoi said.
He added that Moldova maintains good relations with both major US political parties.
According to Popsoi, a new US ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and a new head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova are expected to arrive in Chisinau soon, which he said will bring bilateral relations to a new stage.
Moldova’s foreign relations have intensified in recent years amid the country’s progress toward European Union integration. Cooperation with international partners has expanded across defense, energy and the economy as Chisinau seeks to strengthen national and regional security and resilience.