Moldovan Prime Minister says his country needs the West's help to fight Russian propaganda
In an article written for The Hill, Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip said that his country needs the help and support of western partners to counter the effects of Russian propaganda, especially on the eve of Moldova’s presidential elections.
“In 10 weeks, Moldova's voters will elect a new President who favors either remaining on the pro-Western government's path toward the European Union (EU) or veering more closely toward Russia's orbit,” Filip wrote. “I am pleased to say that through elections and international agreements, we have steadfastly chosen the Euro-Atlantic community as our inspiration and destination, and the current government is dedicated to securing our EU path.”
The Prime Minister added that Russia is not happy with Moldova’s western orientation.
“Moscow is none too pleased, and that is why we need the help of Washington and other Western capitals to solidify our transition from several decades of communism into a free-market democracy,” he wrote.
Filip explained that Russia’s “soft power”- the use of propaganda to influence Moldovan society- is just as dangerous to the country as the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway region of Transnistria, just 30 miles from the capital city Chisinau.
“We need our friends to reject propaganda that seeks to destabilize Moldova, discredit the government and sway the elections in Moscow's favor,” the Prime Minister explained.
“Let me assure our Western friends: For Moldova, integration into the Euro-Atlantic community is more than a diplomatic initiative or an economic expedient. It is a journey to our natural home - the community of nations engaging in free enterprise, committed to better lives for their people and respecting the rule of law,” the Moldovan Prime Minister summed.