“Crown on the spot – Moldova: small country in Russia’s stranglehold

Gray prefabricated buildings line the path from the airport to the Moldovan capital Chisinau. The roads are full of potholes. The first scent of spring is in the air.

For many, the Republic of Moldova is a ‘blind spot’ on the map. Surrounded by Ukraine to the east and Romania to the west, the Eastern European country is one of the poorest in Europe. The situation in the small country is extremely vulnerable. Only in June 2022 did they receive the status of EU candidate country. The reasons for this are clear: since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression, the Kremlin has been trying to destabilize Ukraine’s neighbor. It therefore needs protection from Putin’s stranglehold. But there is still a long way to go before membership.

“Hopefully we will be in the EU by 2030 at the latest”
In an interview with the “Krone”, Minister of Education Dan Perciun indicates the direction and is extremely optimistic. “Hopefully we will be in the EU by 2030 at the latest,” the politician said. So that the youth in the country in particular have perspective again. The 32-year-old is seen as the future hope of the Liberal Party, which is clearly pro-European.

No wonder: the minimum wage is only 250 euros. Far too little to cover the sharp increase in living and energy costs. For many there is no reason to stay. The official figures also speak for themselves: in 1990 there were still approximately 4.4 million people living in Moldova. Today it is less than 2.6.

The population would rather complete the EU accession process today than tomorrow. At the same time, anti-European movements in the country are supported by neighboring countries because there is no interest in a strong Europe.

Then there is the breakaway region of Transnistria. Where the poor country already had a conflict with its large neighbor. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a bloody civil war broke out in this part of the country in 1992, with 100,000 people displaced. Since then, Russia has permanently stationed 1,500 so-called ‘peacekeepers’ there. Today, about 220,000 Russian citizens live here.

“The year 1992 should not be repeated. Of course we are very nervous and scared,” 73-year-old Natalia told the “Krone” in Chisinau. Many people in the country are thinking the same way right now. After all, the last sabre-rattling of the Russians was not so long ago. The separatists had asked Moscow for ‘protection’ from Moldova because of its increasing economic difficulties. The Kremlin immediately agreed to this. Just a few days ago, a drone attack on a pro-Russian military base was reported. It is a dangerous game that Putin is playing here. There is a risk of escalation.

In any case, Austria has promised solidarity on the way to the EU – people believe in the emerging country. Currently, approximately 30 local companies operate here, including insurance companies, banks and light industry. With a total investment of 96 million euros, we are among the top 10 countries.

Austria supports accession to the EU
Austria is already working closely with Moldova, also to strengthen political and economic relations. Only recently did Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) open his own school abroad, which aims to make our know-how available to young people – as a signal to the Kremlin. The purpose-built HTL will specialize in IT skills and is expected to start teaching with the first three lessons in autumn 2025. About 250 to 300 students will receive lessons there, largely in German, according to an adapted Austrian curriculum.

This year, Moldova will vote on accession to the EU. To anchor the ambitions in the constitution. Moldova is once again at a crossroads.

Christoph Engelmaier from Chisinau (Moldova)