The Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure are also affecting neighboring Moldova. At an international donor conference, Foreign Minister Baerbock pledged 32 million euros to the country to cover increased energy costs.
At the Moldova Conference in Paris, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pledged additional aid from the Federal Government amounting to a good 32 million euros. These funds are to be used, among other things, to strengthen renewable energies, expand municipal infrastructure and deal with refugees, according to the Greens minister’s delegation.
“The people in the country are suffering,” said French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna shortly before the start of the conference. She pointed out that Moldova could no longer obtain electricity from the neighboring country because of the Russian attacks on the infrastructure in Ukraine. In addition, Russia has severely restricted its gas supplies to Moldova.
“Any aid we receive is an investment in stability, not only in Moldova but in Europe,” said Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu. He estimated the financing requirement in view of the increased energy costs at 1.1 billion euros. There are currently around 80,000 refugees from Ukraine in Moldova.
The conference is said to be about financial and material aid for Moldova, such as the delivery of generators. In addition, Moldova is to be accompanied on the way to EU membership. “It is in our interest to support the country,” Colonna said. About 50 delegations attend the conference. French President Emmanuel Macron wanted to address the participants in the afternoon.
There is also concern in the West that Russia could claim Moldova as part of its zone of influence. This concern is exacerbated by the presence of Russian troops in the separatist region of Transnistria on the border with Ukraine. Moldova, with its 2.6 million inhabitants, is the poorest country in Europe. At the end of June, the EU heads of state and government granted him the status of an EU accession candidate.
Since the start of the Ukraine war, two donor conferences have already been held for Moldova, each raising around 600 million euros. Germany, France and Romania jointly founded the international support platform for Moldova.