Foreign Policy Association together with Friedrich­Ebert-Stiftung offer you a newsletter on foreign policy and European integration issues of the Republic of Moldova. The newsletter is part of the “Foreign Policy Dialogue” joint Project. NEWSLETTER MONTHLY BULLETIN MAY 2023 NR.5(207) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates NTheewnselewttselre-tutel resistedreevaelliozpaet ddebyMMădăădlăinlinNNeceșcușțuuț,ur,eeddaitcotor-rc-ocooordrdinoantaotror THEMES OF THE EDITION: 1. Stela Leuca, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: The presence of European leaders at the EPC Summit is an extraordinary display of courage, determination, and unity 2. Editorial by Madalin Necsutu, Balkan Insight journalist: The Republic of Moldova is facing the most serious test on the way to the EU 3. Mihai Mogildea, deputy director, IPRE: The advantage of organizing such a Summit is far above any other achievements of the Republic of Moldova 4. Analysis: Security and Defence Initiatives Platform(PISA): The EPC Summit – reflections on the strategic significance and benefits for the security and defence of the Republic of Moldova News in Brief The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, addressed the“European Moldova” National Assembly in Chisinau on May 21, saying in Romanian that“Europe is Moldova. Moldova is Europe”. Metsola joined the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, at the rally of the European Assembly of Moldova, which brought together around 80,000 people who support the European path of the Republic of Moldova.“We are here to confirm your European choice, to support your choice to join to the European Union as a member state, to emphasize that your rights deserve the same protection that EU membership offers other citizens of the Union,” said Metsola.“We believe in the same values, we share the same vision and our future is one that will be shared. Together we can face anything. Because the Republic of Moldova is part of our European family. And this family will always be with you,” added the head of the European Parliament. The EPC Summit – an opportunity for the European integration of Republic of Moldova The head of state, Maia Sandu, declared on May 21, at the“European Moldova” National Assembly, that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova are European by vocation and called for popular support for integration into the European Union.“Europe is more than politics, it is a dream that must come true. Our people should live in peace and prosperity. It is the choice of our people. There is work to be done for the whole society, but it is also a way that will ensure the future of our children", declared Maia Sandu. She argued this desire for the Republic of Moldova to join the EU member states from the perspective of a better future for Moldovan children and openly criticized Russia for sabotaging this collective European desire of the Moldovan citizens expressed through a democratic vote.“What the future of our children will look like years from now depends on us today. No one can stand in our way if we want to. The master in our house is the people. The Republic of Moldova must be European. Moldovans must be European in documents as well. They tried to divide us, to blackmail us, they wanted us to be dependent, to freeze, but we resisted. We persevered against all odds. We remained a democratic country that deserves its future in the EU”, she added. On May 22, the Speaker of the Chisinau Parliament, Igor Grosu, addressed a request to the Government demanding the initiation of the procedure for the withdrawal of the Republic of Moldova from the Agreement on the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Previously, in the meeting of May 19, the Permanent Bureau of the Parliament decided to initiate the procedure of denunciation of the Convention regarding the Inter­Parliamentary Assembly of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The decision was supported by the majority of the members of the Permanent Bureau. Igor Grosu proposed that this topic be included on the agenda of the May 25 and 26 meetings. Then, the speaker announced that a series of agreements related to the CIS are no longer useful since the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the post-Soviet countries are not respected, and in the context of the war in Ukraine, the situation of the Republic of Moldova has worsened. Russia became aggressive and initiated a series of hostile actions against the Republic of Moldova and the pro-European government in Chisinau, Grosu also stated. Moldovan President Maia Sandu, together with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Photo source: Moldovan Presidency The Republic of Moldova is on the eve of the most important event in its history after independence from the Soviet Union, namely the hosting of the European Political Community Summit. About 50 heads of state and government, plus European officials of the highest level, will come to Chisinau for the first time. The chosen location is a special and symbolic one- a winery- a signal that Chisinau officials want to show another facet of the Republic of Moldova, not just of the Soviet­style administrative buildings that European leaders are used to when they visit Chisinau. However, the most important thing about this Summit is that for one day all eyes of the European mass media will be focused on the Republic of Moldova and its desire to breathe the air of the great European family. It will be hard work to convince the European leaders that the Republic of Monthly newsletter, No.05(207), May 2023 111 Bucuresti St., Chisinau, MD-2012, Republic of Moldova, Tel.+373 855830 Website: fes-moldova.org. E-mail:fes@fes-moldova.org