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 SEPTEMBER 2023 NR.9(211) Synthesis and Foreign Policy NTheewnselewttselre-tutel resistedreevaelliozpaetddebyMMădăădlăinlinNNeceșcușțuuț,ur,eeddaitcotor-rc-ocooordrdinoantaotror Debates TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Victor Parlicov, minister of Energy: When we have three energy connections with Romania, we will have a completely different level of security 2. Editorial by Mădălin Necșuți, journalist with TVR Moldova and Balkan Insight: Why energy connectivity with the EU must be‘priority zero’ 3. Eugenia Gusilov, Otilia Nuțu, Sergiu Tofilat, energy experts: Moldova has finally gained courage to take the steps it did not dare to take in the direction of Russian interests in Moldova 4. Analysis, Platform for Security and Defence Initiatives(PISA): Gazprom loses its monopoly in Moldova: effects on the energy security of the country News in Brief The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, declared that if the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict does not take place until the country’s accession to the European Union, reintegration will occur after the accession process.“If in three to four years there will be no geopolitical circumstances thanks to which we can resolve the Transnistrian conflict, we have already analyzed this topic. The Republic of Moldova cannot stand still, we must become a member of the European Union, and the European Union does not say that if there is no reintegration, it is impossible to join the EU. On the other hand, our people from the left bank will see what integration into the EU means, because the quality of life will increase a lot here. We see this from the experience of all the states that have become members of the European Union in the last 20 years,” said Maia Sandu in a TV8programme. Mai Sandu says that the country’s accession to the European Union could take place by 2030, if the society remains united and all the conditions of the European Union are met. The Republic of Moldova bought an airspace monitoring radar. The purchase was made with money allocated from the state budget, and the informational and logistical support was provided by French specialists. The Minister of Defense, Anatolie Nosatîi, stated that the radar is to be delivered to the Republic of Moldova by the end of the year. He refused to divulge the purchase cost of the device and did not want to say from which country it was bought. Nosatîi specified that the radar is of the latest generation and will help the authorities to monitor the airspace of Moldova. During a joint press briefing on September 25, the French Minister of Defense, Sebastian Lecornu, who visited Moldova, confirmed this and stated that such devices are used by several countries in the NATO bloc. After the meeting in Chisinau, Sebastien Lecornu stated that France and the Republic of Moldova signed a collaboration agreement and that Paris will help Chisinau to strengthen its defence capabilities. The Prime Minister, Dorin Recean, announced on September 25, during a briefing, about the launch of a governmental support program“Bonus for Moldova”, worth MDL 1.3 billion from which more than 170,000 citizens will benefit. More than MDL 350 million are to be allocated to cover energy expenses in schools, kindergartens, hospitals and other state institutions. Also, the salaries of doctors and workers in the field of culture are to be increased. The employees in education and those in the power ministries will receive one-time allowances of up to MDL 5,000. Recean also specified that the programme aims to support several social categories and was possible to achieve after the authorities, with the support of international partners, identified additional financial sources. Thus, more than 48,000 doctors and nurses would receive 15% higher salaries. Single salary increases are to be allocated for people working in the field of education. In the same way, more than 10,000 employees from the force and intervention structures will benefit from one-time increases worth MDL 5,000 lei. Salary increases of 25% will also be operated in the field of culture, the prime minister stated. Transformation of Moldova in the new regional energy realities The Republic of Moldova is entering a new paradigm regarding its future and energy security. Being captive for more than three decades in the spectrum of energy dependence on Russia, Moldova currently has a unique chance to definitively break away from this complex past with Russia and shape its own European destiny. One of the primary conditions is the replacement of Russia from the energy plans and the rapid connection to the EU’s energy systems. Only through this move will a good part of the Russian influence in Chisinau be diminished. Sursa: Gazprom Facebook Not infrequently, Moldova stood perplexed in the face of the Russian energy blackmail of the Russian Federation, which curbed Chisinau’s European political initiatives. The geopolitical realities in the region are different today. The Republic of Moldova is closer Monthly newsletter, No.09(211), September 2023 111 Bucuresti St., Chisinau, MD-2012, Republic of Moldova, Tel.+373 855830 Website: fes-moldova.org. E-mail:fes@fes-moldova.org