Moldova Develops a Black Sea Focus

Abstract

The Republic of Moldova has paid limited attention to the Black Sea region for decades. After Russia’s reinvasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country focused its attention on that region, long after the aggression began in 2014. This chapter delves into Moldova’s historical, economic, political and international manoeuvring related to the Black Sea region. This analysis draws from new and old government documents, polls, expert studies and reporting from credible media outlets. Moldova’s lack of focus on certain issues can be attributed to factors such as its inward focus, sluggish economic development, corruption, ineffective governance, lack of civil service training, Russian pressures and limited debate about critical security and trade matters. The war in Ukraine and support from external partners encouraged Moldova to re-evaluate its approach to the Black Sea region in 2023 and address some policy shortcomings. It was granted EU candidate status in 2022 and its port with access to the Black Sea at Giurgiulești became indispensable for Ukrainian export and import flows.