The governments of the United States and Moldova on Thursday issued a joint statement following the strategic dialogue between the two countries, which took place in Chisinau on March 15, 2023.
U.S. Representative, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Derek Hogan met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova Nicu Popescu.
The United States and Moldova welcomed the significant progress made on bilateral priorities since the last strategic dialogue in Washington in April 2022.
They highlighted developments in various areas of cooperation, including legal sector reforms and the fight against corruption, human rights, the promotion of a pluralistic media environment, the fight against disinformation, the diversification and energy sustainability, defense modernization, cybersecurity, the fight against cross-border threats, the fight against arms trafficking. . and ammunition, combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and assisting refugees.
The dialogue also highlighted the February 2023 meeting between President Joe Biden and Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Warsaw, as well as Maia Sandu’s visit to Washington in December 2022.
Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau (file photo)
“The United States and Moldova have developed a strategic partnership and close ties for more than 30 years,” the State Department said in a joint statement Thursday. – This partnership has deepened further as Moldova faces the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The United States stands with Moldova in support of its long-term democratic and economic reform efforts, as well as its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States has committed nearly $320 million in new economic, humanitarian and security assistance to help Moldova deal with the fallout from the war. in Ukraine while supporting progress on its democratic and anti-corruption reform agenda. .and contribute to economic growth.
The United States welcomed the EU’s decision on June 23, 2022 to grant the Republic of Moldova EU candidate status.
