Moldova's EU Ambitions: A New Chapter in Europe

Ursula von der Leyen visited Moldova to support President Maia Sandu ahead of elections and a referendum on EU membership. Sandu, favoring a pro-Western stance, is leading in polls. Moldova, eager to join the EU by 2030, faces allegations of Russian interference, highlighting strained EU-Russia relations.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, met with Moldova's pro-Western President, Maia Sandu, in Chisinau to show support ahead of the upcoming presidential election and EU membership referendum scheduled for October 20.

Sandu is running for a second presidential term while also pushing a referendum to enshrine EU membership as a 'strategic goal' in Moldova's constitution. Despite police allegations of Russian interference in the elections, Moscow has denied such claims.

The visit underscored the strengthening ties between Chisinau and Brussels. Sandu, who condemns Russia's actions in Ukraine, seeks to align Moldova more closely with the EU, targeting membership by 2030. Meanwhile, relations with Russia have deteriorated amid accusations from Chisinau of Moscow's attempts to meddle in its affairs.

(With inputs from agencies.)