Moldova and France are set to sign a defense cooperation agreement on Thursday as part of the West’s efforts to strengthen the former Soviet state’s capabilities amid concerns about increasing efforts by Russia to destabilize the country.
The French president’s office said in a statement on Wednesday that defense and economic cooperation accords would be signed when President Emmanuel Macron meets his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu in Paris.
Macron will emphasize his “support for the independence, sovereignty, and security of the Republic of Moldova, in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine,” it said.
The statement added that Paris would support Chisinau’s efforts to see how to develop its military capabilities, including the possible purchase of anti-air defense capacities similar to France’s Mistral system.
Moreover, France’s defense minister said it would carry out an audit of Moldova’s air defense means to help strengthen the security of its skies.
In parallel with Sandu's visit, Western states will hold an audio call hosted by France to discuss increasing support for Ukraine and Moldova.
Earlier agreement
The two countries reached an initial accord in September that covers the training of military personnel, regular defense dialogue, and intelligence sharing.
At the time, Moldova announced it had bought Thales-made GM200 radar, enabling it to improve aerial surveillance to detect and track targets moving from low to very high altitudes.
Moldova has a tiny defense budget and has long had tense relations with Moscow, which have worsened as Chișinău backs Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Russia has troops and peacekeepers based in Transdniestria, a breakaway statelet of Moldova that has maintained its autonomy for three decades with the Kremlin’s support.
The French president also signed an action plan for France’s strategic partnership with the Czech Republic on Tuesday (March 5) alongside Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala during a visit to Prague.
Macron will emphasize his “support for the independence, sovereignty, and security of the Republic of Moldova, in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine,” it said.
The statement added that Paris would support Chisinau’s efforts to see how to develop its military capabilities, including the possible purchase of anti-air defense capacities similar to France’s Mistral system.
Moreover, France’s defense minister said it would carry out an audit of Moldova’s air defense means to help strengthen the security of its skies.
In parallel with Sandu's visit, Western states will hold an audio call hosted by France to discuss increasing support for Ukraine and Moldova.
Earlier agreement
The two countries reached an initial accord in September that covers the training of military personnel, regular defense dialogue, and intelligence sharing.
At the time, Moldova announced it had bought Thales-made GM200 radar, enabling it to improve aerial surveillance to detect and track targets moving from low to very high altitudes.
Moldova has a tiny defense budget and has long had tense relations with Moscow, which have worsened as Chișinău backs Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Russia has troops and peacekeepers based in Transdniestria, a breakaway statelet of Moldova that has maintained its autonomy for three decades with the Kremlin’s support.
The French president also signed an action plan for France’s strategic partnership with the Czech Republic on Tuesday (March 5) alongside Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala during a visit to Prague.
Source: Reuters
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