Statements by pro-Russian leaders are “disinformation,” says Moldova’s ambassador to France

“We were already accustomed to attempts at disinformation and I believe that the event [de mercredi] in Tiraspol was very well prepared”, estimates Thursday February 29 on franceinfo Corina Călugăru, Ambassador of Moldova to France, after the declarations of the leaders of the separatist pro-Russian Moldovan region of Transnistria. They met on Wednesday in Congress in Tiraspol, the capital of the autonomous region and demand the “protection” of Russia facing the “increased pressure from Moldova”.

This request for protection is “propaganda against Moldova” according to the ambassador of this country in France, who recalls the “European route” of this small state located between Ukraine and Romania. Moldova obtained candidate status for the European Union under the French presidency on June 23, 2023, at the same time as Ukraine. Since 2014“we also have a liberalized visa regime and a comprehensive free trade agreement with the member countries of the European Union”recalls Corina Călugăru.

This is “not a direct threat”

It is also a reaction to the reinstatement of a tax between Transnistria and Moldova, explains the ambassador. “Since 2004, the region has benefited from all the tax facilities and there, we have introduced a customs tax since January”, she analyzes. The region is therefore isolated because “obligated to ensure import-export through their customs”.

The Moldovan government therefore interprets this call to Russia not as a real risk of armed intervention, but as “disinformation and destabilization, not as a direct threat.” Presidential elections and a referendum on membership in the European Union are taking place in Moldova this year.