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 DECEMER 2024 NR. 12(226) Synthesis and Foreign Policy Debates NTheewnselewttselre-tutel resistedreevaelliozpaet ddebyMMădăădlăinlinNNeceșcușțuuț,ur,eeddaitcotor-rc-ocooordrdinoantaotror TOPICS OF THE EDITION: 1. Interview with Adrian Lupusor, director of Expert-Grup: Moldova remains a prisoner of its own constraints: obscure interests, excessive politicization of resource allocation, corruption and inefficiency 2. Editorial by Lina Grau, journalist: Through the storm of crises: what have we achieved in 2024 and what’s ahead in 2025? 3. Analysis by Mihai Mogaldea, deputy director of IPRE: 2024: Milestones and lessons from an important political year for Moldova’s European future 4. Analysis by Sergiu Tofilat, energy expert: Energy blackmail- the Kremlin’s foreign policy weapon in Moldova Știri pe scurt: The Republic of Moldova has increased its purchases of electricity on the Romanian OPCOM exchange, as the bombing of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has affected the Cuciurgan power plant in the breakaway Transnistrian region, where the largest volumes are purchased. State Secretary of Energy Ministry, Constantin Borosan, appealed to citizens to save electricity, especially during peak hours, to reduce the burden on the energy system. He noted that the third block of the Curgiurgan power plant has stopped its activity due to the bombing of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and the energy shortage is now being taken over from Romania. Energocom recently signed a contract with Romania’s Nuclearelectrica. It allows the purchase of electricity at a capped price of€80 per MWh, significantly lower than the fluctuating stock market price, which can reach up to€200 per MWh. The Republic of Moldova continues to provide support to war-affected Ukrainians, hosting some 125,000 people, 90,000 of whom have settled permanently in the country. These figures were made public during a debate organized by the IPN news agency. Participants in the debate underlined the importance of integrating these people into society and highlighted both the challenges and opportunities brought by this crisis, according to Radio Chisinau. Another important issue discussed during the debate was the psychological impact of the uncertainty faced by Ukrainian refugees, as well as the need to improve their access to health services by simplifying bureaucratic procedures. There are currently about 90,000 refugees from Ukraine registered in the Republic of Moldova. The situation on the labor market for Ukrainian citizens also remains complex, with significant differences between men and women in terms of employment rates, said MP Ana Racu, who took part in the debate. The Republic of Moldova loses huge amounts of money every year because of food waste. Thousands of tons of produce are thrown away which would reach over a million people living below the absolute poverty line.”There is now a slight trend to reduce food waste, but the problem is still big. The food that Moldovans throw away would end up feeding people who, at certain times of their lives, are going through more difficult times”, said economist Veaceslav Ionita during the December 20 programme”Economic analysis with Veaceslav Ionita”. According to Veaceslav Ionita, in the Republic of Moldova in 2025, the food waste index will be 92.1%. This is an improvement by 1.3 per cent compared to 2021, when the food waste in Moldova was estimated for the first time. The Republic of Moldova navigated a difficult year in 2024, what awaits us in 2025? Maia Sandu's inauguration ceremony for the second presidential term on 24 December 2024. Photo source: Presidential Administration The Republic of Moldova had a politically tumultuous 2024. The presidential elections and the referendum to amend the constitution to enshrine the European path as a desideratum in the supreme law were two major events that demonstrated the fragility of the European path balance. Propaganda coupled with an internal wave of discontent has created a devastating effect and only the pro-European­oriented diaspora have saved the Republic of Moldova from drifting adrift. It is very difficult to believe that the coming year will be an easier one for the Chisinau leadership to navigate. First of all, this year ends with a possible new crisis and its continuation in 2025. Monthly newsletter, No.12(226), December 2024 111 Bucuresti St., Chisinau, MD-2012, Republic of Moldova, Tel.+373 855830 Website: moldova.fes.de. E-mail: fes.moldova@fes.de