Lithuanian foreign affairs minister reconfirms support for Moldova’s European path in Chisinau

“We want to build a much stronger Europe, and a strong Europe means that Moldova is a member of the European Union.” Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys today made statements to this effect in Chisinau. He noted that Moldova had made important progress on the path to European integration and that this effort must continue. The official reconfirmed his country’s support for this path, emphasizing that Lithuania will share its experience to help Chisinau advance on its way towards the EU.

“An EU without Moldova, without Ukraine, without the Western Balkan countries cannot be a complete structure as a geopolitical project. And if Europe is not a strong geopolitical actor, we will not have security in this global environment, which is changing so rapidly today. We will be dominated by others, who do not always share our values. So, we want to build a much stronger Europe, and a strong Europe means Moldova being a member of the European Union. For this reason, we are investing effort, we are investing hope, because we believe that this process will become a major success,” said Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, at a press conference held in Chisinau jointly with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popsoi.

The official highlighted the high level of cooperation between Moldova and Lithuania, with visible results in more areas, stressing that the two states were united by a common goal: ensuring stability, protecting democracies and achieving security in the region.

“Today we have an opportunity to celebrate the relations we have and our political achievements. We have so many institutions that have close ties and cooperate. Economic relations are expanding and we are determined to continue to expand them, in order to see larger investments and deeper trade relations. We have managed to achieve progress in many fields. These things are based on solidarity, on common values and interests. Our primary interest is to ensure the security of our countries, security in the region, internal security, stability and to protect democracies,” Kęstutis Budrys noted.

The Lithuanian foreign affairs minister also said that his country had faced challenges similar to those that have recently affected Moldova, in particular hybrid attacks, cyberattacks, propaganda and disinformation.

“Lithuania has learned from its own experience. When we were attacked for decades by Russia in different ways, we saw hostile investments, we faced disinformation, cyberattacks, constant political interference. We learned how we can cope with these challenges and we see exactly what is happening in Moldova. And you are learning in a hard way. You are taking additional steps to place yourselves in a position from which you can pass this knowledge on to others, thus contributing to Europe’s security,” the minister said.

Kęstutis Budrys said that he had discussed with Mihai Popsoi the enlargement of the European Union, stressing that Moldova had made significant progress in the process of European integration.

“Candidate countries deserve what they have achieved through reforms, and Moldova has achieved a great deal. On Lithuania’s side, we are making many efforts, talking to our colleagues, trying to bring enlargement forward as a process that must be organized as a confidence-building process, based on merit and absolutely transparent. I am very proud of how Moldova is advancing in its reforms, in critical sectors,” Kęstutis Budrys specified.

The Lithuanian diplomacy head assured that his country stayed a strong supporter of Moldova and would share its experience gained on the road to European integration.

“Lithuania is a strong supporter in this process, a strong advocate. We will continue to share all our experience, everything we managed to accumulate up to getting  EU membership. It is a very extensive experience, which we offer you, as well through high-level advisers, through our experts and through other projects,” said the Lithuanian foreign minister.

Kęstutis Budrys also underlined the need to find solutions to achieve a just peace in Ukraine.

“We must put an end to the aggression against Ukraine. This is a major goal. We want to fulfill this task, to bring security and safety. We must continue to put strong pressure on Russia to accept the conditions that we put forward. We must cooperate in an even closer manner, in order to be able to help Ukraine,” the official concluded.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi said that the visit of his counterpart from Lithuania to Chisinau had profound significance, confirming not only the substance of the deepened political dialogue between the two countries, but also a friendship based on trust, values, shared visions and a common future in the European Union.

“Lithuania has been and remains a clear and courageous voice in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, of our efforts for European integration, and of our citizens’ right to freely choose their destiny. And Moldova was, for its part, the first country in the world that, on 31 May 1990, recognized Lithuania’s independence,” said Mihai Popsoi.

According to him, the cooperation between the two states is taking place on multiple levels: political, economic and institutional, and in the context of the process of accession to the European Union, Lithuania is generously sharing its experience in implementing reforms and the EU acquis.

Mihai Popsoi noted that he had discussed with his Vilnius counterpart ways to expand the bilateral partnership, to stimulate and diversify trade, as well as projects dedicated to accelerating reforms, strengthening institutional resilience and reinforcing the rule of law—elements that bring Moldova closer to the wider European family.

The deputy PM stressed that Lithuania had shown through its own historical path that major transformations were possible when there is political will, social solidarity and reliable partners. At the same time, according to him, Lithuania’s experience is a source of inspiration and a practical model for Moldova.

“We are grateful for the constant assistance provided to Moldova in public administration reform, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring energy security—support which is not only technical, but also proof of European solidarity. I would like to emphasize our gratitude for Lithuania’s consistent support in the process of European integration of Moldova. This experience is for us a source of inspiration and a practical model. Each message of support, every joint project, every expert sent to Chisinau contributes directly to strengthening our capacity to implement sustainable reforms. This support—from the decision to open accession negotiations to the technical discussions on negotiation clusters—is felt both at the institutional level and within society.

At the same time, Mihai Popsoi expressed his conviction that Lithuania, which will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union starting 1 January 2027, would play an essential role in promoting the objective of EU enlargement, “especially when it comes to Moldova and Ukraine.”

In conclusion, Mihai Popsoi said that the relations between Moldova and Lithuania had all prerequisites to become even closer, turning challenges into opportunities and aspirations into results.

“The friendship between Moldova and Lithuania is an authentic one, based on mutual respect, solidarity and commitment to our common European future. Lithuania’s constant commitment to Moldova, its presence in Chisinau, confirms once again that we are following this path together, alongside true friends,” Vice Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi concluded.

Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys is paying a working visit to Moldova February 6. The visit aims to strengthen the Moldovan–Lithuanian bilateral relations, deepen political dialogue, and reaffirm Lithuania’s support for the European path of Moldova, including in the context of regional and security developments.