Security and Defence MEPs will travel to Romania and Moldova to discuss regional security and the defence implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and to show solidarity with Moldova.
The main purpose of the visit of Security and Defence Subcommittee (SEDE) MEPs, from 15 to 18 May, is to show solidarity with the Republic of Moldova, which is facing increasing pressures from the spill-over of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The SEDE delegation will first visit Romania, which is enhancing its security and defence, including hosting NATO’s enhanced forward presence, as a consequence of heightened security concerns in the region. MEPs will visit the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Cincu, one of the eight multinational battlegroups in the eastern part of NATO.
In Moldova, the delegation will discuss the Common Security and Defence Policy mission EUBAM (the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine) and the setting up of the EU’s first mission to address hybrid threats, the new EU Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova). MEPs will also go to Hirbovat, the administrative line between the capital Chisinau and Tiraspol.
The delegation will meet governments and parliamentary representatives, including the Romanian State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iulian Fota, the Romanian State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Eduard Bachide, international partners and members of the think tank community.
Led by SEDE Chair Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR), the delegation is composed of MEPs from different political groups : Arnaud Danjean (EPP, FR) Eugen Tomac (EPP, RO), Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel (Greens/EFA, DE), Assita Kanko (ECR, BE) and Jean-Lin Lacapelle (ID, FR).
Background
On 23 June 2022, The European Council granted Moldova EU candidate country status. Moldova benefits from an ongoing EU Macro-financial assistance operation which entered into force on 18 July 2022.
Information for the press
A press conference with SEDE Chair Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR) is scheduled at the end of the visit in Chisinau, Moldova, on Thursday 18 May in the afternoon.
Source – EU Parliament