Moldova: the European family reunited in Chisinau, a very symbolic choice

The European family meets in Moldova for the 2nd summit of the European Political Community. About fifty heads of state and government are expected in this small country, one of the poorest on the continent. The choice of Moldova to host this summit, a daring and symbolically charged choice.

Chisinau, Moldova, 1 June: The President of Moldova welcomes participants to the informal summit of the European Political Community, attended by the Heads of State and Government of the European Union and the leaders of twenty other countries. Maia Sandu is here with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. AFP - ELENA COVALENCO

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with our special envoy in Chisinau, Anastasia Becchio

The choice of Chisinau to host this summit is daring because its organization is a challenge for Moldova, one of the poorest countries on the continent, with a poorly developed infrastructure. But it is very symbolic: we are here at Mimi Castle, a cultural center backed by a vineyard, on the road to Odessa. The Ukrainian port regularly bombed by Russian forces is 160 km away. Moldova shares a long border, almost 1000 km with Ukraine. On several occasions, Russian missile debris ended up on Moldovan territory.

The country also lives in constant fear of Russian destabilization. It is also less than 20 km from the pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria, where Moscow has some 1,500 troops and a large ammunition stockpile.

>> Also listen: Under pressure from Moscow, Moldova stands in solidarity with Ukrainian refugees (Big report)

The former socialist republic has long been torn between Russia and the West, and even today the Kremlin has important relays there. This is why the holding of this summit is so important for its president Maia Sandu, resolutely turned towards Europe, who won the status of candidate to the EU for her country last year... just like his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Will the Ukrainian president come as a neighbor? Silence for now. But he was not far away, a few hours ago... on a working visit to Odessa.

Parade in Chisinau on the occasion of Victory Day, which marks the 78th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, May 9, 2023 (illustration). REUTERS - VLADISLAV CULIOMZA

>> Read also: A European summit organized in Chisinau to "give a mark of support" to Moldova (Analysis)

Moving forward on resolving other conflicts

Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to hold talks with Kosovar President Osmani and Serbian President Vucic about incidents in northern Kosovo.

>> READ ALSO: In Kosovo, the Prime Minister under fire of criticism but supported by the Albanian population

The Armenian-Azerbaijani issuewill be the subject of a meeting between Nikol Pashinian and Ilham Aliyev... the EU, represented by Charles Michel, France, and for the first time, Germany. The Europeans hope for progress towards a peace agreement. At the previous summit in Prague, the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders had previously held talks with the Turkish president.

Recep Tayip Erdogan, re-elected on Sunday, did not confirm his presence in Chisinau

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Read on on the same topics:

  • Moldova
  • European Union
  • Ukraine
  • Turkey
  • Kosovo
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan