Sandu in Munich: For Moldova Today Giving up Neutrality Is Not on the Table

During the two days of the Munich Security Conference, President Maia Sandu had numerous meetings with her counterparts, governmental and international leaders The Head of State addressed the panel discussion, Beyond the Alliance: Partnership for European Security, along with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, as quoted by the Press Office of the President, moldpres.md reported. The head of state stressed that the war in a neighboring country also seriously affects Moldova, although Moldova has no military risks thanks to Ukraine, which keeps the Russian army away from our borders. The Moldovan government is working to ensure order in the country and we want to keep the peace and calm so that the launched reforms be continued. The head of state said that neutrality is not an issue for Moldova today; however, neutrality does not mean that the defense sector can be neglected. Our country must strengthen its defense capabilities, including its ability to respond to hybrid and cyber-attacks, propaganda and disinformation. On Saturday, President Maia Sandu spoke with the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Helga Maria Schmid. Moldova counts on OSCE assistance to maintain calm and stability in the Transnistrian region in the current turbulent geopolitical situation. The President also met other high-ranking European representatives, including Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Alexander Dobrindt, chairman of the Christian-Social Union (CSU) group in the German Parliament, as well as Wolfgang Schmidt, head of the German Federal Chancellery. She assured them that the new government will continue the reforms started and will speed up the EU accession process. The President thanked the European partners for the support and confidence they give to our country. On the sidelines of the Munich forum, the head of state also discussed with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly the reform agenda which the new government will pursue, focusing on the sectors of justice, security and public order. The discussions also focused on the situation in the Transdniestrian region.