The U.S. Institute of Peace proudly hosted Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip, accompanied by several of his cabinet ministers, for a discussion focused on his country’s foreign policy, regional role, reform achievements, political situation, and efforts to combat Russian influence. It is a critical period for Eastern Europe and a key time for Moldova in light of November's parliamentary elections that will determine the further direction of the country.

This conversation with Prime Minister Filip included ongoing democratic consolidation and economic development. Since the 2016 establishment of the government led by Prime Minister Filip, Moldova has enacted a series of important reforms to secure the country's Western-oriented development path. The conversation included a discussion of Moldova’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its successful process of democratization in Eastern Europe. Prime Minister Filip’s cabinet ministers also commented on their portfolios. 

Panelists

Ambassador William B. Taylor, moderator
Executive Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace

The Honorable Pavel Filip
Prime Minister, Republic of Moldova

Tudor Ulianovschi
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Republic of Moldova

Eugen Sturza
Minister of Defense, Republic of Moldova

Chiril Gaburici
Minister of Economy and Infrastructure, Republic of Moldova

Related Publications

Russian Interference in the 2024 Moldovan Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum

Russian Interference in the 2024 Moldovan Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Donald Jensen, senior advisor for Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace, testified on November 12, 2024, before the U.S. House of Representatives Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) briefing on “Moldova’s European Future.”

Type: Congressional Testimony

Global Elections & ConflictGlobal Policy

As Moldova Nears an Election, Russia Exploits an Unhealed Ethnic Rift

As Moldova Nears an Election, Russia Exploits an Unhealed Ethnic Rift

Thursday, August 1, 2024

In 2024, Russia’s hybrid war on Europe is notably targeting tiny Moldova, which, like Ukraine, is struggling for full independence from centuries of domination by Moscow. Specifically, Vladimir Putin’s government is campaigning to scuttle Moldova’s decision to join the European Union — and one strategy is to sustain opposition by the country’s minority Gagauz community. In just 11 weeks, Moldovans will vote whether to re-elect their pro-Europe president and ratify her government’s European choice. The Kremlin is sponsoring an opposition campaign that appears certain to lose those votes; Moscow may try instead to undermine the elections’ credibility, partly through political manipulation among the Gagauz.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Russia’s Disinformation Targets Moldova’s Ties with Europe

Russia’s Disinformation Targets Moldova’s Ties with Europe

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Moldova is at war with Russia, even though not a single shot has been fired. This conflict, which Romanian-speaking Moldovans call a “razboi hibrid” (hybrid war), poses risks to Moldova and its Eastern European neighbors not unlike a traditional shooting war. As Moldova and Ukraine began separate talks last week to join the European Union, the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated its campaign of disinformation and political interference to derail Moldovans’ European and democratic aspirations. Moscow is targeting a critical decision point for Moldova: national elections and a plebiscite on EU membership over the next 13 months.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Moldova: As Russia Fuels Conflict, Could Churches Build Peace?

Moldova: As Russia Fuels Conflict, Could Churches Build Peace?

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Russia’s escalating campaign to block Moldova from joining the European Union reflects a weakening in Eastern Europe of a longstanding Russian lever of regional influence: its Orthodox church. A number of Moldovan Orthodox priests and parishes are campaigning to withdraw their nation’s churches from two centuries of formal subordination to Russia’s church, and Moldova’s senior prelate has bluntly condemned his superior, the Russian Orthodox Church patriarch, for supporting Moscow’s war on Ukraine. As conflict escalates this year over Moldova’s future, advocates of European democracy and stability might strengthen both by supporting dialogue to reduce conflict between Moldova’s historically Russia-linked church and its smaller rival, subordinate to the Orthodox hierarchy in neighboring Romania.

Type: Analysis

Religion

View All Publications