European leaders to visit Moldova for Independence Day
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Romanian President Nicușor Dan could visit Chișinău to celebrate Independence Day with the citizens of the Republic of Moldova.
The information was published by Euronews.ro, citing sources from its editorial team. As of yet, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Presidency in Chișinău has confirmed the visits of the four foreign dignitaries to the Republic of Moldova on August 27.
Euronews reports that the high-ranking guests will participate in the Independence Day ceremonies, and Romanian President Nicușor Dan will also attend the events for Romanian Language Day, celebrated on August 31.
Additionally, Nicușor Dan, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Donald Tusk will hold meetings with President Maia Sandu and other officials in Chișinău.
It's worth noting that Nicușor Dan, Emmanuel Macron, and Donald Tusk have all previously visited the Republic of Moldova, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be making his first visit to Chișinău.
“Moldova’s Independence, a continental value”
Political analyst Nicolae Negru considers the arrival of the four leaders in Chișinău for Independence Day to be “extraordinary news.”
In his view, these visits primarily reflect the “strategic importance of the Republic of Moldova for Europe,” especially given the expansionist war launched by Putin against Ukraine, which endangers the world order.
“The independence of the Republic of Moldova thus becomes a continental value. The visit also speaks to the reputation and authority enjoyed by President Maia Sandu. Of course, this also sends a signal of support and encouragement to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova,” Nicolae Negru said.
The analyst sees no problem with the leaders of France, Germany, Romania, and Poland visiting Chișinău just a month before the parliamentary elections on September 28.
“That it's before the election campaign? What's the problem? Does the Electoral Code prohibit foreign leaders from visiting the Republic of Moldova? Is Independence Day being canceled? The appearance of the four presidents and prime ministers in the Great National Assembly Square on Independence Day will, of course, have an electoral effect, but this is inevitable regardless of who is in power. And if it's legal, it shouldn't bother anyone. You don’t stop foreign relations—who has ever stopped them?—just because you're entering an election campaign in a few days. That would be stupid, because ultimately, the Republic of Moldova stands to gain from the arrival of the presidents of Europe’s most important countries,” Nicolae Negru pointed out.
It's important to mention that France, Germany, and Poland are members of the “Weimar Triangle,” a trilateral cooperation format established in 1991 that currently provides strong support for Ukraine and the expansion of the European Union.
In June 2024, President Maia Sandu met with representatives of the Weimar Triangle countries at the level of Foreign Ministers and ambassadors in Chișinău. She welcomed the constant support from Germany, Poland, and France and thanked them for backing the official launch of EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
