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Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, from the SPD party, made his first foreign jaunt post-summer vacation on Wednesday, landing in the Republic of Moldova. Installed in the capital, Chisinau, Scholz will engage in discussions with Prime Minister Dorin Recean and President Maia Sandu. The primary topics up for discussion include the influence of the Ukraine conflict on Moldova and additional assistance for the EU hopeful nation.
It's the first such bilateral meeting between a German head of government and Moldova in a decade. The European Union commenced formal membership talks with this provincially-sized nation, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, in June. Despite the breakaway of the pro-Russian enclave of Transnistria in the '90s, Moldova continues to grapple with Russian efforts to incite instability. Germany offers aid in economic and defense modernization initiatives.
The government's objective is also the execution of an accord to restrict unauthorized immigration, scheduled for enactment shortly, yet not during Scholz's visit. However, the Chancellor will bring special envoy Joachim Stamp along, appointed specifically for dealing with migration accords. Following discourse, Scholz will face the media alongside President Sandu (18:10 local time, 17:10 CEST). The Chancellor anticipates returning to Berlin at nightfall.
Prior to visiting Moldova, there was a stir caused by rumors of a German military aid ceiling to Ukraine, causing unease among Eastern European allies of Kyiv. Scholz clarified in an interview with broadcaster Sat.1 on Tuesday that the commitment to aid Ukraine as needed in its conflict with Russia remained unshaken.
Scholz referred to the previously agreed 50 billion credit from the G7 nations to Ukraine and dismissed suggestions of its failure to materialize as "far from convincing." The pledge remains in force. "There's no question about that whatsoever," Scholz stated. Alternatively, Germany has earmarked four billion euros for Ukraine assistance in its 2023 budget, which marks "the highest amount any country in Europe offers for backing in 2025."
The first bilateral meeting between a German head of government and Moldova in a decade is significant for both countries. During this visit, Chancellor Scholz will discuss the influence of the Ukraine conflict on Moldova and potential additional assistance for the EU hopeful nation.
