LONDON

Baltic leaders on Tuesday signed a joint declaration in support of Moldova’s accession to the EU as the country is set to hold a referendum on EU membership in the fall, local media reported.


In the declaration, the presidents of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania underlined their support for Moldova’s EU integration, while emphasizing the country’s importance for the entire region’s security and stability.


The leaders declared their readiness to develop bilateral relations with Moldova.


“The EU integration path is not easy, but it is worth the effort. Lithuania is ready to help Moldova on this path by sharing its experience, expertise, and support for the implementation of reforms,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said during the Baltic leaders’ meeting with Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean in Chisinau, according to Lithuanian local broadcaster LRT.


“We have valuable experience in countering hybrid threats, working on strategic communication, and countering disinformation. This is an area where our countries could successfully cooperate,” the Lithuanian president added.


Nauseda urged the West to support Moldova during the presidential election and referendum on EU membership to prevent Moscow from allegedly wanting to spread disinformation and propaganda in the country in this period.


Moldova applied to join the EU after Russia started war on Ukraine in February 2022.

As a result, the country was granted candidate status in 2022. In June, the EU launched accession negotiations on Moldova and Ukraine’s membership.


The Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian presidents are attending events marking Moldova’s independence from the Soviet Union on Aug. 27, 1991 and are also scheduled to meet with the country’s President Maia Sandu.


Moldova will hold a referendum on EU membership on Oct. 20, alongside a presidential election in which Sandu will seek reelection.