Below a 7-point thread about The Republic of #Moldova.
What happens there, why is it important for #Europe and what can we do?
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/SMuresan/status/1635276717005889537
Why is Moldova important?
It is a country placed between #Ukraine and the European Union.
If #Russia would have an ally in #Moldova in addition to #Lukashenko in #Belarus, Ukraine would be much worse off and Europe would be worse off.
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/SMuresan/status/1635276719518269440
Who tries to destabilise Moldova?
Russia and pro-Russian Moldovan oligarchs.
They have joint interests.
None wants #Moldova with a strong judiciary, fight against corruption, rule of law and integrated in EU. They prefer Moldova to be weak, dependent and unstable.
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/SMuresan/status/1635276721468637191
How do they try to destabilise?
By staging "protests" aimed at weakening the trust of the people in the West and in Moldovan authorities.
Has it worked? No. Not so far.
Moldovan authorities keep control. But attempts to destabilise are permanent. Need to raise awareness.
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/SMuresan/status/1635276723402215425
What more can we do?
Help Moldova tackle Russian disinformation.
Include it in key EU projects. Gradually integrate it in EU Single market, even before EU membership.
Free roaming. Important to people.
Sanction pro-Russian oligarchs.
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/SMuresan/status/1635276727705567236
Who wants Moldova integrated in EU?
Who does not?
People & authorities want it go the European way, Russia and Moldovan oligarchs not.
People of Moldova voted pro EU President and gave absolute majority to pro EU party. President @sandumaiamd, PM @DorinRecean strongly pro EU.
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/SMuresan/status/1635276729710432257
Why now? Why "protests"?
Oligarchs: because judiciary starts working. Past corruption cases are being brought to justice.
Russia: because in the past Russia made use of weak majorities to bring governments down when needed. Now pro EU party has absolute majority in Parliament.
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/SMuresan/status/1635276736765243402
What can we do?
Provide international financial support to easen social pressure. Inflation was 35% last last year.
Liberalise trade between EU and Moldova. This gives EU perspective to Moldovan enterprises and especially farmers.
Secure its energy independence.
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/SMuresan/status/1635276725465788419