European Union's International Relations Strategy
Germany is fully committed to assisting Moldova, according to Scholz, following a meet with Moldovan President Sandu in Chisinau. He acknowledged issues with Russia and pro-Russian forces trying to destabilize Moldova.
Moldova relies on continued German assistance during its transformation journey, as per President Sandu. She was grateful for past aid, such as tackling the energy crisis or establishing a dual education system. In combating misinformation, Germany is instrumental in strengthening Moldova's resilience.
This was the first visit of a German head of government to Moldova in a decade. The EU initiated accession talks with Moldova, situated between Romania and Ukraine, in June, largely driven by Scholz.
As a result of the early 90s secession of the pro-Russian region of Transnistria, Moldova consistently encounters Russian attempts at destabilization, which have escalated due to the Ukraine conflict. Germany is also aiding Moldova in defense sector reforms.
Moldova, with approximately 2.5 million citizens, is set for presidential elections on October 20. Sandu has decent chances of re-election. The election is linked to a referendum on incorporating EU accession as a constitutional goal, to prevent future administrations from abandoning the process.
As of now, no advancement has been made on the desired migration agreement from Berlin. Nevertheless, Scholz was optimistic, stating "we will soon reach an agreement." There are no significant or strategic hurdles that cannot be surmounted, he added. Sandu affirmed that negotiations were ongoing and would be concluded soon.
Germany has been hinting at the upcoming agreement for weeks, aimed at creating more legitimate entry routes for Moldovan students and skilled workers in Germany, contingent on curbing illegal immigration. In December, Moldova was declared a safe country of origin by Germany, allowing for swift asylum procedures and easier deportations.
Accompanying Scholz was the special envoy for migration agreements, Joachim Stamp, who held separate discussions on this matter in Chisinau.
Amid speculations of a cap on German military aid to Ukraine due to budget constraints, Scholz assured in Chisinau that "Germany will not waver in its support for Ukraine." The nation will continue to be "the largest European supporter of Ukraine."
However, he also mentioned a planned $50 billion loan from the G7 nations, sourced from confiscated Russian assets, necessitating less financial contribution from the German budget.
The implementation of this G7 project is "technically complex," requiring time, Scholz explained. Nevertheless, the plan is "politically clear." Intensified efforts will be made to complete the process quickly.
Scholz clarified that he was unaware of the Ukrainian government's prior consultation before the offensive in the Russian region of Kursk, where German weapons such as armored vehicles are reportedly being utilized. The operation was "secretly undertaken" and "without consultation," he added. It might be "spatially limited and temporal" but further comments are inappropriate at this juncture.
The Ukrainian army launched a surprise attack into the Russian region of Kursk on August 6, allegedly seizing control of numerous villages. According to Russian reports, over 120,000 civilians have fled the area. This is the largest cross-border offensive by Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.
Moldova continues to seek Germany's assistance in dealing with Russian influence, given its historic issues with pro-Russian forces. Germany is not only aiding Moldova in defense sector reforms but also provides crucial support during Moldova's transformation journey, as demonstrated by past initiatives like addressing the energy crisis or establishing a dual education system.
