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Introduction
In June 2024, the Republic of Moldova held its first Intergovernmental Conference with the European Union (EU), officially opening accession negotiations. This success was largely promoted by the Eastern Partnership policy, which set the ground for the country’s momentous progress towards EU accession. Opening accession negotiations provided impetus to Moldova’s internal reform agenda and marked a landmark moment for its citizens. Moldova’s European aspirations were further underscored by the 2024 presidential election and the constitutional referendum, where the Moldovan citizens confirmed Moldova’s commitment to join the EU.
Despite these achievements, Moldova’s democratic process remains under pressure. Both the presidential elections and referendum were overshadowed by an unprecedented assault on the country’s democracy. Russia’s proxies deployed vote buying schemes, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns via media and social platforms. Amidst the risk of vulnerability of Moldovan institutions to prevent and counter Russia’s interferences in the electoral process ahead of September’s parliamentary elections, resilient and stable institutions should be fully equipped to investigate cases of high-level corruption and criminal organised crimes.
Moldovan civil society plays a key role in strengthening Moldova’s ability to boost security resilience addressing disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) with expertise and independent analysis. Nevertheless, recent attacks on independent media and civil society organisations, exacerbated by a draft foreign agent law proposed by the parliamentary opposition, undermine their operations and risk shrinking civic space in a context where Russian political and civic groups are preparing the ground in view of September’s elections.
Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, attempts to destabilise Moldova have intensified, posing not only a threat to Moldova’s own security and sovereignty but also to the Eastern Partnership region and the EU’s external borders. The EU has taken concrete steps to support Moldova’s resilience. The EU Partnership Mission to Moldova, launched in 2023, enhanced cybersecurity and capacity to respond to hybrid threats. In May 2024, the EU and Moldova signed for the first time a Security and Defence Partnership, boosting cooperation on countering FIMI, cyber and hybrid threats, including disinformation.
In view of Moldova’s pivotal parliamentary elections, this event offers a timely opportunity to discuss the challenges of hybrid warfare and the disinformation attempts, while exploring strategies to strengthen the country’s democratic resilience and advance its European integration path.
Programme
This event will take place on Wednesday 2 July, from 14:30 to 18:00 pm at the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the European Union, Rue du Trône, 130 – Brussels.
Registration compulsory through the link at the bottom of this page.
This event is organised by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum with the support from the Transition Promotion Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
| 14.30 – 15.00 | Welcoming and Registration |
| 15.00 – 15.15 | Opening remarks H.E. Ms Jitka Látal Znamenáčková, Deputy Head of the Czech Permanent Representation to the EU, Permanent Representative to the Political and Security Committee Keynote speech H.E. Ms Daniela Morari, Ambassador, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union |
| 15.15 – 17.00 | Speakers – Ms Ina Coșeru, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Policy and European Integration, Parliament of the Republic of Moldova – Mr Jan Latal, Information and Communication Expert, East Stratcom Task Force, European External Action Service – Ms Cristina Castagnoli, Head of Unit, Democracy and Elections Actions, European Parliament – Mr Valeriu Pașa, Chairman, Comunitatea WatchDog.MD – Ms Oxana Brighidin, Program Director, Soros Foundation Moldova Moderator: Mr Andrea Raimondi, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Followed by a Q&A session |
| 17.00 – 17.05 | Concluding Remarks Mr Sergiu Gurău, National Facilitator, Moldovan National Platform, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum |
| 17.05 – 18.00 | Networking reception with Moldovan wine |
