Moldovan, Norwegian Prime Ministers approach bilateral partnership

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan met in New York with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre. The officials discussed strengthening bilateral relations and continuing joint projects in areas important for the development and resilience of the Republic of Moldova.

Vasile Tofan appreciated Norway’s continued support for our country, highlighting its contribution to strengthening energy security, modernizing the education system, and increasing the Republic of Moldova’s capacity to address challenges in the region. The opening of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Chișinău was also welcomed, as it will facilitate dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.

An important topic of the discussion concerned the energy sector. He spoke about the impact of energy prices on the population and the economy, as well as the Government’s efforts to support citizens through the compensation mechanism. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the support provided so far and encouraged the continuation of Norwegian assistance aimed at reducing energy vulnerability, including through support for the compensation mechanism.

“Energy prices are putting significant pressure on people, while Russia is trying to exploit this situation through manipulative messages and propaganda. We have a difficult winter ahead, but the Government will provide compensation, and this support, even if it may seem small, makes a difference for people,” said Tofan.

In this context, the two prime ministers addressed Russia’s hybrid attacks against the Republic of Moldova and the importance of strengthening our country’s resilience. The Norwegian side expressed willingness to continue cooperating with the Republic of Moldova and to support key sectors in this regard.

The two officials also discussed the modernization of Model Schools, a project supported by Norway and implemented through the Ministry of Education and Research. The Norwegian side appreciated the results achieved and expressed interest in continuing cooperation in the field of education.

During the discussions, Tofan invited Norwegian companies and investment funds to explore investment opportunities in the Republic of Moldova. The Prime Minister of Norway expressed his openness to developing new projects and strengthening economic relations between the two countries.