Minister Czaputowicz emphasised that one of the priorities of Polish foreign policy is to strengthen the Eastern Partnership, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. “We want to take the Partnership to a higher level. We are also open to sharing our experience in bringing public administration into line with European standards,” he said. Minister Czaputowicz expressed his hope for intensive development of Polish-Moldovan bilateral cooperation. “We are interested in closer economic cooperation with Moldova, and we stand ready to provide comprehensive support for the country’s reform efforts,” he underlined.

During his visit to Chisinau, the foreign minister met with Prime Minister Maia Sandu. “Poland, together with other EU members and institutions, will support every measure in the fight against corruption, de-oligarchisation efforts, and the process of the much needed, deep reforms,” said the minister speaking to the head of the Moldovan government. The meeting also touched upon the country’s current domestic situation in the context of the recent change of Moldova’s ruling coalition as well as the planned structural reforms. “We would like to express our admiration for the persistence in keeping Moldova on the EU course. We note with satisfaction the signals that the strengthening of relations with the EU will remain the cornerstone of Moldova’s foreign policy,” stressed Minister Czaputowicz. The officials also highlighted the need to extend Eastern Partnership cooperation to cover cybersecurity, roaming services, and youth activities.

The formation of Moldova’s new government and governing coalition was discussed in the talks with President Igor Dodon. “We hope that the emerging coalition will last long enough so that Moldova’s EU integration process will not slow down,” said Minister Czaputowicz. In addition, the meeting discussed the current state of play in Transnistria and the negotiation process for the region. 

One of the points of the visit was also a meeting with the President of the Moldovan Parliament, Zinaida Greceanii, during which Minister Jacek Czaputowicz expressed his satisfaction with the peaceful transition of power in Moldova and hope for intensive development of Polish-Moldovan parliamentary cooperation, including the organisation of the forthcoming sixth session of the Polish-Moldovan Parliamentary Assembly. 

While in Chisinau, the foreign minister visited the Adam Mickiewicz Library, where he spoke to Polish diaspora activists and laid flowers at a plaque in memory of the late Lech Kaczyński and 95 people who had lost their lives in the Smolensk crash. Minister Jacek Czaputowicz furthermore met with representatives of Moldovan NGOs.

MFA Press Office

Photo: Sebastian Indra/MFA