Moldova clinches security accord with Britain

21/11/2024 6:16

        Britain and Romania offered
        their support to Moldova on Wednesday in tackling the effects of
        Russia's 1,000-day-old invasion of neighbouring Ukraine as
        London signed a new security and defence partnership agreement
        with the ex-Soviet state.
        
        Foreign ministers from Britain and Romania visited just over
        two weeks after pro-European President Maia Sandu won
        re-election in the country between Ukraine and Romania, though
        by a smaller margin than expected.
        
        Moldovan voters last month backed, by a tiny margin, a
        referendum to alter the constitution to include provisions on
        integration with the European Union.
        
        A British statement said the security partnership was aimed
        at "building on extensive cooperation between the two countries
        and strengthening Moldovan resilience against external threats".
        
        British Foreign Secretary David Lammy noted the large influx
        of Ukrainians since Russia's February 2022 invasion, including
        50,000 children.
        
        "With Ukraine next door, Moldovans are constantly reminded
        of Russia's oppression, imperialism and aggression," Lammy said.
        
        Sandu has denounced Moscow's war in Ukraine and described
        Russia and corruption as the biggest threats to Moldova, one of
        Europe's poorest countries.
        
        The two countries also clinched an agreement on re-admission
        to ensure the return to Moldova of its nationals illegally
        staying in Britain.
        
        Also agreed were a 2-million-pound ($2.52-million) deal to
        improve Moldova's protection against cyberattacks and a
        5-million-pound grant to improve health services for refugees.
        
        Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu welcomed the
        outcome of Moldova's elections and said the three-sided meeting
        underscored "the resolve of Romania and the United Kingdom to
        work together in firmly supporting Moldova".
        
        Romania and Moldova have cultivated strong relations
        bolstered by a common language and historical links. Prior to
        independence in 1991, Moldova was for 150 years variously a part
        of the Russian empire, Greater Romania and the Soviet Union.
        
        Prime Minister Dorin Recean presented on Wednesday an
        updated version of Moldova's constitution and identified
        integration with the EU as a strategic goal.