Moldova Seeks Full Alignment with EU Sanctions on Russia and Belarus

Moldova wishes to align itself with the EU’s full package of sanctions and is preparing for any retaliatory measures from Moscow and Minsk

The Republic of Moldova intends to align itself fully with the European Union’s sanctions policy, including sectoral restrictions against Russia and Belarus. The authorities are preparing the necessary mechanisms to achieve 100 per cent alignment, as well as compensatory measures for citizens and businesses that might be affected by any retaliatory measures from Moscow and Minsk. This was stated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi.

Mihai Popșoi

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“This is a gap that needs to be bridged so that we achieve 100 per cent alignment, and we are now working to find the solutions and mechanisms needed to do this, so that we can truly demonstrate, through our actions, that we share European values 100 per cent and are acting accordingly. We are set to take these decisions shortly, so that we can signal to our partners in Brussels and to the Member States that we are doing our homework, aligning ourselves with European values and becoming contributors to regional security, not merely consumers, by participating in missions under the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy. “All these steps demonstrate the Republic of Moldova’s seriousness and determination to truly be part of the great European family, fully sharing the values of that family,” said Mihai Popșoi.

“Moldova will not be used as a platform to circumvent sanctions”

The minister dismissed concerns that the Republic of Moldova could become a platform for circumventing European sanctions. According to him, the authorities already have implementation mechanisms in place and have gained experience in applying the restrictions with which the country has so far aligned itself.

“With regard to the 90 per cent of European sanctions with which we have already aligned, there have been very few instances where we have allowed sanctions to be circumvented. We have clear implementation mechanisms and clear commitments not to allow the Republic of Moldova to be used as a platform for circumventing these sanctions with which we have already aligned. The procedure is relatively straightforward, following a comprehensive assessment of all aspects arising from this decision. The proposal comes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by a decision from the Government’s Special Commission, after which it falls to us once again to implement this decision. “So we have gone through these stages countless times; we have this experience, and we have the internal capacity to ensure that both the sanctions we have already aligned with and those we are yet to align with are implemented,” said Popșoi.

“Compensatory support to mitigate any retaliatory measures”

According to him, it is not just a matter of the Russian Federation and Belarus – there are a whole series of countries falling under the scope of these sanctions, with Moldova demonstrating “professionalism and diligence on every occasion in aligning with them and implementing them”.

“So, from a technical point of view, there are no obstacles. We must ensure that we have the capacity not only to implement these measures but also to mitigate any repercussions they may have, given our continued exposure to trade with the Russian Federation and Belarus. We must ensure that we provide the necessary support so that our citizens and businesses do not lose out as a result of these decisions. So we must offer compensatory support to mitigate any retaliatory measures,” explained the foreign minister.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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