Nicu Popescu, Special Envoy for European Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, took part in a public conference organized by the Embassy of Romania in France, dedicated to the recent EU initiative to safeguard democracy — the “Democratic Shield,” launched by the European Commission.

“Together with Dorin Recean, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Edouard Dambrine from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Skander Nasra, adviser to Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, and Romania’s Ambassador to France, Ioana Bivolaru, we discussed Moldova’s and other countries’ experiences in facing threats to democracy, as well as the importance of coordinating actions at the European level.

I spoke clearly about what these attacks look like in reality: disinformation, attempts to influence elections, dirty money in politics, and pressures aimed at weakening people’s trust in institutions. Moldova has gone through such challenges in recent years and has learned important lessons about how to defend democracy when it is put to the test,” he stated.

Popescu emphasized that the discussion was not only about risks.

“It was also about what we are building. Moldova is on its path to the European Union, and this path means stronger democratic institutions, fairer rules, a more credible justice system, and an ever-deeper connection with Europe. Through these reforms and through the way we defend our democracy, Moldova earns its rightful place in the European Union,” the official noted.