The European Parliament adopted by 508 votes to 53, with 104 abstentions, a resolution on strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA, the Left groups.
The Republic of Moldova plans to hold its presidential election and a constitutional referendum on European integration on 20 October 2024, against a backdrop of interference and attempts to destabilise the country's political situation and electoral process and electoral process.
Parliament strongly condemned the escalating malicious activities, interference and hybrid operations by Russia, pro-Russian oligarchs and Russian-sponsored local actors aimed at undermining the electoral processes, security, sovereignty and democratic foundations of Moldova, fostering divisions within Moldovan society and derailing the country’s pro-European trajectory, ahead of the upcoming presidential election and the constitutional referendum on EU integration.
Members reiterated their call on the Russian authorities to respect Moldova’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to cease its provocations and attempts to destabilise the country and undermine its constitutional order and democratic institutions.
Parliament called on the EU and its Member States to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided to Moldova to strengthen its institutional mechanisms and its ability to respond to hybrid threats. It called for increased EU support for Moldova in countering disinformation, hybrid threats and cyberattacks.
The Council is invited to adopt additional targeted sanctions listings against individuals and entities responsible for supporting or carrying out actions which undermine or threaten Moldova’s sovereignty and independence.
Members also called on the EU and its Member States to:
- ensure that EUPM Moldova performs to the best of its ability, while proposing to further extend its mandate beyond May 2025, adapt its scope and increase the mission’s resources;
- continue support for Moldova and its people in addressing the challenges facing the country as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including large numbers of refugees, inflation, threats to its energy supplies and violations of its airspace.
Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to Moldova’s future membership of the EU and called for more consistent support for Moldova in its EU accession process. It invited the EU to adequately support accession-related reforms by developing robust and adaptable financial instruments tailored to Moldova’s specific needs.
The resolution called for the adoption of a new growth plan for Moldova so as to adequately finance and support the country in achieving economic convergence with the EU.
The Commission, in this regard, should include the Republic of Moldova in the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance and to prioritise funding for candidate countries in its proposal for the next multiannual financial framework (2028-2034), ensuring the path towards EU membership.
Parliament welcomed Moldova’s significant progress in implementing EU accession-related reforms and encouraged the Moldovan authorities to continue the ambitious reforms on democracy and the rule of law. It called for the EU and its Member States to prioritise and allocate additional resources to efforts to support the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms.
Member States are called on to increase the European Peace Facility’s funding for the Republic of Moldova to further enhance the country’s defence capabilities.
Lastly, Members urged the EU and its Member States to further strengthen cooperation with Moldova through targeted measures to enhance the country’s resilience to hybrid threats. The Commission and the Member States are also called on to continue supporting media literacy and media independence, as well as the strengthening of Moldova’s critical digital infrastructure.