A delegation of MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Security and Defence Subcommittee travels to the Republic of Moldova to assess the security situation there in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent influx of refugees. Urmas PAET (Renew, EE) and by Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), co-Chairs of a Parliament delegation express some impressions of the visit.

EU - Ukraine Association Agreement (T)

EU - Ukraine (T)

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Subcommittee on Security and Defence

EU - Moldova (T)

PAET, Urmas (Renew, EE)

Moldova

LOISEAU, Nathalie (Renew, FR)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

AFET/SEDE Delegation to Moldova: Statements by Urmas PAET (Renew, EE) and by Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), co-Chairs of a Parliament delegation

SOUNDBITE (English), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), We want to see the challenges that Moldova faces in welcoming Ukrainian refugees, this is the reason why we went to Palanca. Now the flux of refugees is slowing down a little bit, but it could be artificial or temporary. So far, the situation in Odessa is a little better, but there are still people coming in and international organisations, NGOs and Moldovan authorities team up together to welcome the refugees the best they can.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR),The first thing the EU did was sending Frontex, the EU Border Guard agency, alongside with the EU mission to monitor the border. We have to send more humanitarian assistance and also to share the burden because there is still 100000 refugees in Moldova, a tiny country, and we need to find a way to help them get these refugees elsewhere in Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), The challenge of gas supply is very high on the agenda. And for a country which is not as wealthy as country of the European Union, the presence of so many refugees, despite the generosity of the Moldovan people, is not sustainable on the long term if there is no more support from the EU. So it's good that the EU is committed to support Moldova, and there will be a donors conference next week where a member states have to be fully on board and support this country.

SOUNDBITE (English), Urmas PAET (Renew, EE), The Russian invasion, Russian aggression in Ukraine influences heavily also Moldova, because Moldova has huge amount of war refugees from Ukraine, 100000 remain in Moldova. And of course, this crossing point here is important for a big region of Odessa for people to escape if it's needed.

SOUNDBITE (English), Urmas PAET (Renew, EE), We already saw the situation during this last month when people afraid of Russian bombings used this crossing point to enter Moldova. And so that in this sense, we of course want to show also physically the support of the European Union for Moldova and at the same time, also to see and listen here on the ground. How was the situation and which have been their preparations if, well, unfortunate war continues also in this area of Ukraine, neighbouring Moldova.

SOUNDBITE (English), Urmas PAET (Renew, EE), At the moment, I guess one of the important issues is direct financial support because most of refugees are living in Moldovan families. Of course, it needs resources. The economic and social situation in Moldova is rather fragile. And so that at the moment, to support refugees and to support Moldova, I guess financial assistance is most important.

SOUNDBITE (English), Urmas PAET (Renew, EE), The biggest still is a security problem at large so that as we all in Europe have security problem because of Russian regime and as long as in Russia, there is this kind of political regime which starts wars in neighbouring countries. Well, Moldova, but also others are under threat. So this is the main issue.

SOUNDBITE (English), Urmas PAET (Renew, EE), And of course, there are also more concrete issues in Moldova, like energy, full energy dependency from Russi, issues related to other hybrid war elements like propaganda war, like attempts to influence public opinion in Moldova, problems with trade because Ukraine has been an important trade partner for Moldova so that seeking for new markets here again.

SOUNDBITE (English), Urmas PAET (Renew, EE), Also, the European Union can assist increasing the level of quotas for Moldovan agricultural products. New transit routes because transit route to Odessa, Ukraine distances is not functioning so that alternatives through the European Union countries so that actually there are many issues where also the European Union can give concrete assistance to to Moldova. Plus, of course, quick decision on candidate status of the EU for Moldova.