Parliament speaker, at Moldova Security Forum 2026, says Moldova must be able to defend its neutrality, sovereignty, European future

Moldova must strengthen its defense capabilities, in order to protect its neutrality, sovereignty and European future. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu has made statements to this effect at the Moldova Security Forum 2026. According to him, defense is no longer treated as a secondary issue, and investments in this area have begun to produce visible changes.

The speaker noted that, in 2023, Moldova had acquired its first modern airspace surveillance radar with the support of the European Union, and that a second surveillance system is due to be added this year.

“On August 27, during the parade on Great National Assembly Square, the citizens of Moldova were able to see these changes with their own eyes: modern military vehicles, equipment and capabilities that our army did not have a few years ago,” Igor Grosu said.

The parliament speaker stressed that the country’s security does not mean military defense alone. Moldova must also be prepared to face hybrid threats, such as cyberattacks, foreign interference, illegal party financing, energy blackmail and the manipulation of social tensions.

“A country can be attacked without even a tank crossing its border. Foreign interference, cyberattacks, illegal party financing, energy blackmail and the manipulation of social tensions—all these are instruments of aggression,” Igor Grosu said.

In the context, he emphasized the need to strengthen the resilience of institutions and society.

“When we talk about defense, we must think beyond everything that involves the army. We must think about the resilience of our state, the protection of our institutions and our ability to intervene and respond to different types of pressure,” the speaker said.

Igor Grosu also spoke about external support for strengthening Moldova’s defense capabilities. At the same time, he mentioned the security and defense partnerships developed with the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, Romania, Germany the United States and other partners.

According to the parliament speaker, the authorities’ objective is for Moldova to have sufficient capabilities to protect its neutrality and sovereignty.

“Our task is to build a Moldova capable of defending its neutrality, sovereignty and the European future chosen by its citizens. We have not yet reached where we want to be. We need greater capabilities,” he said.

Igor Grosu noted that the modernization of the Armed Forces and the strengthening of airspace protection must continue.

He said that the changes made in recent years were visible, especially when compared with the situation in February 2022.

“When we compare today’s Moldova with Moldova in February 2022, the difference is noticeable. It is real. Over the past four years, we have begun to eliminate the gaps that had remained so wide open,” Igor Grosu said.

The parliament speaker called for continued investment in defense capabilities, staff training and the use of support provided by external partners, so that every investment contributes to strengthening the security of Moldova.

The third edition of the Moldova Security Forum is taking place in Chisinau on October 8-9. The event brings together more than 700 participants and around 90 experts from 20 countries, in order to discuss the security of Moldova, Europe and the Black Sea region. The theme of this edition is, Strengthening Democratic Resilience and Security through Strategic Vision and Multilateral Cooperation. The programme is taking place against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the threats affecting the entire region.