The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Moldova recently released a joint statement following the U.S.-Moldova Strategic Dialogue held in Washington, D.C. on April 18, 2024. The dialogue included discussions on various bilateral priorities and areas of cooperation between the two nations.
During the Strategic Dialogue, both sides highlighted the progress made since the last meeting in advancing bilateral priorities such as defense and security cooperation, Moldova's progress towards EU integration, economic and energy security, and people-to-people ties. The United States reiterated its support for Moldova's long-term democratic and economic reform efforts, as well as its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Moldova has received significant support from the United States to bolster its defense capabilities, with nearly $75 million in Foreign Military Financing provided since Russia's further invasion of Ukraine. The two countries also emphasized the importance of cooperation between Moldova and the State of North Carolina in the State Partnership Program.
The United States has been actively assisting Moldova in various areas, including border enforcement, cyber defense, and law enforcement capacity building. Additionally, the U.S. announced a new initiative to align Moldova's law enforcement academy with international standards, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of Moldovan law enforcement entities.
Both nations discussed Moldova's integration with the EU and the management of economic, energy, security, defense, and humanitarian impacts of Russia's actions in Ukraine. The United States has been a significant donor to Moldova, providing over $774 million in assistance to help the country navigate the challenges arising from the conflict in Ukraine.
Moldova's support for refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine was acknowledged, with the United States providing humanitarian aid to assist both refugees and host communities in Moldova. The two countries also expressed their commitment to contributing to Ukraine's reconstruction and discussed opportunities for further cooperation.
The dialogue also addressed human rights issues, civil society engagement, energy security, and cybersecurity cooperation. Moldova's enthusiasm for the return of Peace Corps volunteers and the significance of people-to-people ties between the two nations were highlighted during the discussions.
The Strategic Dialogue, hosted by the U.S. Department of State, involved representatives from various agencies and ministries from both governments. Both the United States and Moldova expressed their commitment to further cooperation based on shared democratic values and common interests, with plans to hold the next meeting of the Strategic Dialogue in Chisinau, Moldova in 2025.
