Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Moldova

Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Moldova on 9 January in her role as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

During her visit, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will meet Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihail Popșoi and Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian. She will also have discussions with representatives of the Transnistria region.

The OSCE’s efforts to promote a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the Transnistrian conflict will be discussed, with the emphasis on strengthening Moldova’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

“The OSCE has a strong mandate to promote a resolution to the Transnistrian conflict and to support Moldova and its sovereignty. As OSCE Chair, Finland is committed to working towards these goals,” says Foreign Minister Valtonen.

The meetings will also discuss the critical energy situation in Moldova after Gazprom halted gas supplies to the country. On 6 January, the Nordic and Baltic countries published a joint statement on the energy crisis in Moldova (link).

“Russia has a ruthless way of using energy as a political weapon. We are supporting Moldova and its citizens in this challenging situation,” Valtonen says.

During her visit, Minister Valtonen will also meet the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and representatives of civil society organisations and the media.