Strasbourg, 9 October 2024
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MEPs denounce voter bribery, cyber operations and information warfare
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Russia must respect Moldova’s independence, cease provocations, and withdraw military forces
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Strong support for Moldova’s EU accession
On Wednesday, MEPs adopted a resolution issuing a strong warning against continued Russian attempts to derail Moldova’s pro-European trajectory.
The text, approved by 508 votes in favour, 53 against and 104 abstentions, vehemently condemns Russia’s escalating malicious activities, interference and hybrid operations ahead of Moldovans going to the polls to vote in the country’s presidential election and constitutional referendum on EU integration on 20 October. MEPs highlight the role played by a plethora of malicious actors, including pro-Russian Moldovan oligarchs and Russia’s state-funded RT network, in carrying out voter fraud schemes as well as cyber operations and information warfare. They also call on the EU and its member states to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided to Moldova to strengthen its institutional mechanisms and ability to respond to hybrid threats.
Russia’s destabilising actions in Moldova
According to MEPs, Moldovan security services recently stated that Russia has spent approximately €100 million to undermine the upcoming electoral process in order to get Moldovans to vote against closer ties with the EU. On 3 October 2024, Moldovan authorities uncovered a large-scale voter fraud scheme financed by Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, involving $15 million being transferred to 130 000 Moldovans as part of a voter bribery operation. Condemning these tactics, Parliament calls on Russia to respect Moldova’s independence, cease provocations, and withdraw military forces from its territory. In addition, it repeats its previous calls for all ammunition stored in the Cobasna depot in the Transnistria breakaway region to be destroyed.
MEPs call for additional sanctions against political actors destabilising Moldova
Against the backdrop of increasing Russian interference, the resolution calls on the Council to adopt further EU sanctions against individuals undermining Moldova’s sovereignty. MEPs also urge countries and territories hosting wanted Moldovan fugitives like Ilan Shor and Vladimir Plahotniuc to extradite them to Moldova for trial.
Additional support for Moldova’s EU accession
The European Parliament reaffirms its support for Moldova’s path towards EU accession, calling on the European Commission to include the country in the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) and to prioritise funding for EU candidate countries in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. With EU accession talks with Moldova already having begun, MEPs call for a faster screening process and the timely organisation of the subsequent intergovernmental conferences.
To boost Moldova’s resilience against hybrid threats, Parliament urges the EU to continue to strengthen cooperation with the country in the fields of strategic communication, support for journalists and civil society and the promotion of independent Russian-language media content.
Background
The EU has previously imposed sanctions on Moldovan oligarchs and pro-Russian actors, including Ilan Shor and Vladimir Plahotniuc, Igor Ceaika, Gheorghe Cavaliuc and Marina Tauber. Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022 and was granted candidate status in June 2022. In December 2023, the European Council agreed to open accession negotiations with Moldova.
Moldova: Speech by EU Commission Vice President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, on behalf of EU High Representative Josep Borrell in the EP plenary on the Russian interference ahead of the EU referendum
Strasbourg, 8 October 2024
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Opening remarks
President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,
Today’s debate highlights the significance of our relations with Moldova, a strategic partner and a future European Union member. This is also an opportunity to recognise Moldova’s significant efforts in addressing the threats and challenges arising from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and to address Russia’s direct attempts to destabilise the country. Moldova and its people are showing that they have what it takes to prevail.
Our relations with Moldova are at an all-time high. Despite the threats to its democracy from Russia, Moldova’s commitment to the European Union accession path has been remarkable, culminating in the opening of accession negotiations in June. Moldova must seize the momentum to continue implementing reforms. Today’s debate provides a valuable opportunity for us to send a clear message: Moldova can count on our support in its reform journey.
As the presidential elections and the referendum on the European Union accession approach, we can clearly see Russia intensifying its hybrid attacks on Moldova’s democracy and stability. Moscow’s objective remains unchanged: to derail Moldova’s efforts towards European Union integration and push the country back into its sphere of influence. A key part of this strategy is Russia’s disinformation campaign, which is specifically targeting the referendum to discredit the government’s pro-European Union policies by falsely portraying a lack of popular support for European integration.
Moscow’s malicious activities aim at exploiting differences in Moldova’s society, spreading propaganda among the Russian speakers and trying to leverage the ambitions of the Transnistrian region and Gagauzia against the central authorities.
To help Moldova strengthen its resilience and to help its institutions to effectively tackle these challenges, the European Union has substantially increased its support.
The European Union’s security and defence cooperation has reached a new level with the establishment of the Security and Defence Partnership. Moldova was the first country to sign a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union. This partnership offers a robust political framework to enhance our existing cooperation and explore further engagement opportunities.
Since last year, the European Union Partnership Mission (EUPM) has been assisting Moldovan institutions in resilience building. With the upcoming elections and referendum, the mission provides targeted support to enhance cybersecurity, and to combat illegal financial flows, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference.
Under the European Peace Facility (EPF), the European Union has allocated €137 million to strengthen Moldova’s armed forces since 2021, making Moldova the second largest recipient of bilateral European Peace Facility support after Ukraine.
In addition, in 2023 the European Union established a sanctions regime targeting those who seek to destabilise Moldova. Two rounds of listings have been adopted so far.
Last but not least, when it comes to the Transnistrian region, it is important to stress that Moldova’s European future cannot be taken hostage by the unresolved conflict. While European Union accession and conflict settlement are two different processes, all efforts must be made to ensure that the entire population of Moldova, including those in the Transnistrian region, fully benefits from European Union integration.
Thank you.
Link to the video (starting 0:42): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-261640
Closing remarks
Señor Presidente, Honourable Members,
We welcome the Parliament’s intention to adopt a Resolution recognising the challenges Moldova faces, due to intense Russian hybrid warfare, and [for] reaffirming strong support for Moldova’s European Union integration. The resolution also rightly highlights the need for the European Union to continue its assistance in these difficult times.
Despite challenges, the Moldovan government remains committed to the reforms that will bring the country closer to European Union membership, and it is essential we continue to support Moldova and stand by our own commitments.
The upcoming elections and Referendum on European Union accession are a key opportunity for the Moldovan people to have their voice heard.
Moldova belongs in Europe, and we will continue supporting its European Union path.
Thank you.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-261642
Source – EEAS
Renew Europe: The Republic of Moldova at a crossroads: The EU must support Chisinau to fight back against the Kremlin’s hybrid threats
Ongoing Russian interference and attempts to destabilise the political situation and electoral process in the Republic of Moldova must stop.
The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament calls on the EU and its Member States to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided to the country to strengthen its institutional mechanisms and its ability to respond to hybrid threats.
In a resolution, proposed by our political group and today approved by the plenary, on strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration, Renew Europe also calls on the Council to adopt additional targeted sanctions listings against individuals and entities responsible for undermining or threatening Moldova’s sovereignty and independence.
Renew Europe’s Vice-President, Dan Barna (USR, Romania), who led the negotiations over this resolution on behalf of the Group, said:
“The right to vote and determine one’s own destiny is a fundamental European right for which countless individuals have valiantly fought and sacrificed their lives across our continent. The resolution passed today unequivocally opposes Russian aggression and Vladimir Putin’s efforts to exert control over nations in Eastern Europe. Furthermore, it serves as a clarion call to European Union institutions and member states to provide unwavering support to Moldova in its struggle for freedom and as it embarks on its path toward peace, security, and integration into the European Union.”
Source – Renew Europe
Greens/EFA: Moldova’s and Georgia’s democracies under threat from authoritarians, Gregorova warns
Moldova is holding presidential elections on 20 October and, in addition to these, a referendum on EU accession is also taking place on the same day. It is here, according to experts and Markéta Gregorova, that Russia is threatening to interfere and is seeking to prevent this accession.
Markéta Gregorová, Pirate Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, comments:
“It is absolutely unacceptable for Russia to interfere in any way in the elections of a sovereign state in an attempt to influence the results of independent elections in its favour. The EU and its Member States must continue to assist Moldova in improving its resilience to these hybrid attacks, both in cyber security and strategic communications. It is also essential that the EU demands accountability from those involved in the interference. That is why I support the imposition of sanctions on those who attempt to weaken Moldova’s democratic institutions. Addressing the existing corruption problems and reforming the judicial system are important steps to ensure that Moldovan society is able to protect itself from foreign interference in the long term.”
“The current ruling party in Georgia is not far from establishing an authoritarian regime in the country. Political diversity and the ability to vote for the parties we want is an important part of democracy. The suppression of human rights and the restriction of freedom of expression are practices of authoritarians that the goverment in Georgia is inspired by. It is therefore important that Georgia’s main concern is independent elections.”
Source – Greens/EFA