Foto: presedinte.md
“Foreign policy is becoming a key tool in the new environment. When international law no longer provides sufficient protection, it is necessary to be part of alliances, to have reliable and stable partners able to come to the rescue when needed. Therefore, Moldova’s foreign policy will be aimed at firmly anchoring our country in reliable, credible and pragmatic partnerships,” Maia Sandu said.
The head of state said that the most important partner for Moldova is the European Union: “Today, all 27 member states support the opening of formal negotiations with Moldova. At the same time, there is one member state that does not support the opening of formal negotiations with Ukraine. We seek full membership and hope that the EU will find the right mechanisms so that the decision-making process cannot be blocked by one or another state. We want to join a functional EU, which is capable of making decisions”.
The head of state also addressed the entire Moldovan political elite: “The entire political system should realize that any deviation from the EU integration path jeopardizes our freedom, peace and well-being. We must strengthen the state from within,” Sandu added.
Speaking about security and resilience, Sandu emphasized that “in an increasingly uncertain and unstable world, it is important to be able to defend ourselves.”
“To protect ourselves from external interference, such as what we saw in the last elections, and to strengthen resilience by emphasizing both prevention and rapid response to security threats in the cyber, information and public order spheres,” the president said.
She announced that the National Security Council has approved an action plan to strengthen resilience, which includes a set of measures in the information, cyber, illegal financing and public order spheres.
In the defense sector, the goal is to modernize infrastructure “to improve defense capabilities and deter hostile actions against our country.”
“A modern, capable and well-equipped army is the foundation for development, peace and our freedom,” Sandu said, recalling that “defense of the homeland is the right and sacred duty of every citizen, according to the Constitution.”
The defense budget has increased from 0.38% of GDP in 2021 to 0.58% in 2025, the president said. However, the goal is to reach 1% of GDP defense spending, “Until then, we will compensate with resources provided by partners. These resources are important. In recent years, we have received support from the EU in the amount of about 190 million euros, support from NATO in the amount of 41 million euros, as well as bilateral support from a number of countries. Germany, the US, Romania, Poland, Germany and other countries have provided the most assistance in this sector.”
In addition, Maia Sandu said that Moldova will acquire another radar in 2026 with EU assistance.
“It is not easy. All countries are trying to acquire these means and the demand exceeds the supply. Sometimes there are resources, but there is no possibility to buy. However, we are trying to identify both resources – because this is a problem for us – and manufacturers in order to strengthen the defense of the air space as soon as possible,” the head of state specified.
The President also touched upon the issues of drugs, digital hygiene, especially for young people, the fight against corruption and the continuation of the reform of the judicial system.
Special attention was paid to the diaspora: “We are interested in participating in the government’s efforts to facilitate the return of our compatriots to their homeland. We recently had a discussion and we expect the government to propose concrete measures on how to make the return more friendly and attractive for our citizens. I believe that the government should more seriously analyze the profile of people who continue to leave. We all realize that the most important thing we can do to ensure that Moldovans do not leave again is to show a critical mass of progress in all areas.”
She also announced the need to revise the law on salaries: “It is not about my salary, but about the need to revise the law on salaries and, first of all, to find sources, to save resources so that we could raise salaries for more categories of workers. And then maybe demand more and better work from people.”
