Moldova

Political relations

France is one of the States with the longest-standing representation in Chișinău. Diplomatic relations were established in 1992. This relationship gained new momentum following Maia Sandu’s election as President. On 4 February 2021, she was received in Paris by the President of the Republic for the first bilateral visit by a Moldovan Head of State since 1997. This visit marked France’s support for Ms Sandu’s programme and established an ambitious bilateral agenda, strengthening the French contribution to the implementation of public policies and sustainable development in Moldova through the intervention of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Expertise France and Proparco, and launching negotiations on avoidance of double taxation and social security conventions. New impetus was generated for French-language bilingual education in Moldova and solidarity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was strengthened.

On 2 September 2021, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs visited Chișinău, a few days after the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Moldova’s independence. Maia Sandu was again received by the French President on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum on 12 November 2021.

In the context of the war in Ukraine, the Minister returned to Moldova on 3 March 2022, accompanied by Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management. Alongside Germany and Romania, France has also chosen to co-chair the Moldova Support Platform, established to help Moldova handle the consequences of the conflict.

Economic relations

France is Moldova’s twelfth-largest customer and ninth-largest supplier. Trade between the two countries remains modest but enjoys positive momentum. After exceeding €100 million in 2018, it reached €119.8 million in 2019. In the first six months of 2020, despite the public health situation, French exports continued to increase compared to the same period the previous year, confirming this trend (16.9% rise). France primarily imports agricultural and textile products from Moldova. It has traditionally held strong market share in the agri-food sector, machinery (including agricultural machinery), automobiles and chemicals. In the first four months of 2020, the French surplus rose sharply, due to a significant increase in agricultural and agri-food exports.

France is the fourth-largest source of foreign investment in Moldova, accounting for more than 4,000 direct jobs, thanks in particular to the presence of 240 French companies (including Orange, Sanofi, Lafarge and Lactalis). Several companies are planning to strengthen their presence, such as Accor or Eco-Delta in partnership with Total Eren (two wind projects worth €115 million). Moldova has applied for a French Treasury loan to support the renovation of the Chișinău-Ungheni railway line, a key link with the EU (€49.5 million), by a consortium including Alstom, Geismar, Systra and L3G).

The AFD’s mandate was extended to Moldova in June 2021. Its activities should cover areas identified as priorities by the Moldovan authorities: forest management, irrigation, drinking water and sanitation, and the modernization of energy and the railway network.