French President, Emmanuel Macron and Moldovan President, Maia Sandu have signed a Chisinau-Paris defence deal as well as an “economic roadmap.”
This came as Sandu visited Paris.
The defence accord sets the legal framework for future training, regular dialogue and intelligence sharing.
A French defence mission will open in Moldova’s capital Chisinau by the summer to help assess needs and talks have begun on possible weapons’ contracts, the French defence ministry said.
In a joint statement with the Moldovan President, Macron pledged his country’s “unwavering support” for Moldova.
“France restates its unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognised borders,” he said.
Moldova’s democratic reality and its inspiration about a European future, like Ukraine, are, in fact, a challenge for the Russia of Vladimir Putin,” Macron said, adding his country would strengthen cooperation to help it fight off what he called “hybrid attacks.”
Located on Ukraine’s south-western border, former Soviet state Moldova has long expressed aspirations to move closer to the EU, and says it is the target of Russian interference, mainly in the breakaway Transdnistria region.
Two years into Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, Moldova faces “multiple challenges caused by the conflict on its borders,” the statement said.
Top of the list is the pro-Russian breakway region of Transnistria, where officials last week appealed to Moscow for “protection”.
There is mounting concern that the territory could become a new flashpoint in the conflict, with Moldova “facing intensifying hybrid attacks,” the two Presidents said.
“The Moldovan state must be in a position to protect its neutrality, defend its territory and its population, and contribute to regional and international security,” they said in the statement.
Macron and Sandu said Paris was “fully backing” Moldova’s reforms aimed at one day joining the EU.
It is to hold a referendum later this year.
“Justice reform and the battle against corruption” would be particularly important to a successful membership bid, they added.
On her part, Sandu asserted that Russia was renewing its efforts to destabilise her country and warned that, if President Vladimir Putin was not stopped in Ukraine, he continue to be a threat for the rest of Europe.
“If the aggressor is not stopped, he will keep going, and the frontline will keep moving closer. Closer to us. Closer to you,” Sandu said.
“Europe must therefore present a united front. Aggression must be repelled by a strong force,” she said.
Macron said France would back Moldova.
“The regime in Moscow seeks to control my country through energy blackmail, sponsoring protests, running disinformation campaigns, launching cyber attacks, interfering in our elections, pouring in dirty money and even attempting a coup.”
“But we stand tall.”
Maia Sandu
With weak military forces, Moldova is seen as particularly vulnerable should the Ukraine war spill over to other eastern European countries.
Earlier this week, Moldova’s spy chief said Russia was planning fresh attempts to meddle in the country’s internal affairs by provoking protests and interfering in upcoming presidential elections.
Macron Accused Of Increasing France Involvement In Ukraine
Also on Thursday, the Kremlin said that French President, Emmanuel Macron was increasing France’s involvement in Ukraine, after he declined to rule out deploying troops there.
Macron has since doubled down on his remarks, which stunned many in Europe and represented a significant shift in rhetoric as Ukraine struggles on the battlefield.
“Macron is convinced of his line to strategically defeat our country, and he continues to raise the level of France’s direct involvement,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov said that Paris had given “very contradictory” statements about whether it was open to sending troops to Ukraine, and that its foreign ministry had since talked down the suggestion.
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