France and Moldova sign defense cooperation agreement
France affirmed Thursday March 7 its “
unwavering support
” for
the “independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity
” of Moldova.
The Moldovan president was received this Wednesday March 7 at the Élysée to conclude a defense agreement between the two countries.
Moldova's President, Maia Sandu, and French President, Emmanuel Macron, attend a press conference, March 7, 2024. © Christophe Ena / Reuters
By: RFI with agencies
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A week after the call from Transnistrian separatists for the “
protection
” of Moscow, which maintains 1,500 soldiers in this region bordering Ukraine,
Emmanuel Macron
and his counterpart
Maia Sandu
called, in a joint press release, on Russia to “
withdraw its forces illegally stationed on Moldovan territory
”.
Paris said it was ready to “
make its contribution, when the time comes, to a lasting and peaceful settlement of this conflict
”, frozen since 1992, at the time of the dislocation of the Soviet Union.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has reignited
tensions in this strip of land
of just over 4,000 km2, as well as in Moldova, "
facing an intensification of hybrid attacks
" according to the press release.
Chisinau fears in particular a surge of disinformation in the run-up to the presidential election and the referendum on membership of the European Union, scheduled for the fall.
“Present a united front”
Neighboring Ukraine, Moldova only has a small defense budget.
It has long had tense relations with Russia, which have increased sharply since February 2022. The government in Chisinau firmly supports Kiev while pro-Russian separatists in Transnistria, a narrow strip of land along the Ukrainian border, asked for support from Moscow.
“
If we do not stop the aggressor, he will continue his aggression and the front line will continue to move closer.
To get closer to us.
To get closer to you
,” declared Maia Sandu, alongside Emmanuel Macron.
“
Europe must therefore present a united front.
The aggression must be repulsed with force
,” added the Moldovan president.
A signed agreement
“
The Moscow regime
is trying to control my country
through energy blackmail, organizing demonstrations, carrying out cyberattacks
(...)
and even plotting a coup
,” declared Maia Sandu, during of a press conference with Emmanuel Macron.
Faced with these “
attempts at interference which aim to very clearly divide Moldovan society
(...)
France and the European Union stand at your side
,” replied the French president.
“
The Moldovan people can be proud of their peaceful fight for freedom
” which “
represents a challenge for Vladimir Putin’s Russia
,” he insisted.
The agreement signed immediately by the defense ministers of the two states provides in particular for "
the opening in the coming months of a permanent defense mission in Chisinau
", he specified, adding that "
it This is just a first step
.”
In the economic field, the two countries also initialed “
a bilateral road map identifying future projects to be developed together
”.
Also listen: Transnistria, a new pole of tension between Russia and the West?
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