Forum for Peace in Paris

„It is important to point out the Russian invasion of Ukraine accelerated a destructive process, which makes it even clearer why using energy, food or propaganda as weapons must be countered as part of a concerted international effort”, Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis said on the sidelines of the Forum for Peace in Paris. The agenda this year focused on the multiple crises triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24. President Iohannis argued that the so-called solidarity corridors should be turned into a long-term bridge linking the EU to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, ahead of their prospective EU integration.

Bucharest has supported the extension of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), as well as the funding of projects that improve transport connections between the two ex-Soviet republics, which have this year both submitted their official requests to join the EU. The Romanian ports of Galați and Constanța are also ready to play an important role in this respect, the president also added. Klaus Iohannis also recalled that a new checkpoint on the Romanian-Ukrainian border was opened last week, the first since the beginning of the conflict. „I am proud of the measures Romania has taken, which enabled the transit of over 6.5 million tons of grain from Ukraine -a key contribution to ensuring global food security. This is but the start of a long journey”, the president concluded.

The smallest and most vulnerable neighbor of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, needs an additional 1.1 billion EUR to cover its energy costs this winter, the Moldovan Foreign Minister, Nicu Popescu, has said on the sidelines of the event in Paris. „Our situation is extremely difficult”. The Republic of Moldova faces „military, energy and economic threats”, Minister Popescu argued, considering that Russia has all but suspended its natural gas exports to Moldova, on which this country is completely reliant. Additionally, Ukraine also suspended its electricity exports to Moldova after its energy infrastructure sustained critical damage in Russian shelling. „The situation is bound to get even worse this winter, but we will continue to make efforts to keep it in check”, Nicu Popescu said, also recalling that approximately 80,000 Ukrainian refugees are currently residing in Moldova. Also last week, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen visited Chișinău, announcing that the Commission will grant Moldova 250 million EUR as part of an assistance package. The funds will arrive starting January next year. Over 90% of Moldova’s energy demand is currently imported from Romania.

Bogdan Matei, Radio Romania International