President, Honourable Members,
In recent months, Moldova faced the largest hybrid attack in its history, including vote-buying and cyberattacks. At the end of last year, Russia cut off gas supplies to Moldova, which was aggressive energy blackmail aimed at destabilizing the government and spiking inflation.
In these turbulent times, the EU proved to be a reliable partner by providing immediate budget support and launching a strategy for energy independence. Moldova will be fully decoupled from Russian energy by the end of next year.
Furthermore, the EU respected Moldovas territorial integrity and provided support to the Transnistrian region.
Our interventions ensured that no one in Moldova went without light or heating. The EU remains a partner to rely on.
We also launched the Reform and Growth Facility, the largest EU financial support package ever for Moldova, to double its economy in the next decade.
Finally, Moldova is being integrated into the Single Euro Payments Area and is working with the EU on a common roaming area.
Moldova aims to become an EU member by 2030, which is technically possible, provided the country continues to reform.