In this interview, you will learn about the authorities’ main concerns regarding unauthorized overflights of the Republic of Moldova’s airspace and what concrete measures have been taken to protect the safety of citizens and critical infrastructure. Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi explains why these incidents constitute a serious interference and an undermining of the state’s neutrality and independence, emphasizing that they have led to the treatment of airspace defense as a national strategic priority. The interview provides clarity on how this priority is reflected in public policy documents, including the Defense Strategy, and on efforts to develop air surveillance capabilities, designed to enable early risk identification, public notification, and operational decision-making. At the same time, the actions taken to strengthen interception capabilities are explained, including the legal framework that allows state institutions to act in a coordinated manner against drones or missiles that illegally enter the airspace. The discussion also reveals that the Republic of Moldova is applying the lessons learned from Ukraine’s experience, investing in modern surveillance and air defense equipment, and placing particular emphasis on training military personnel to use such equipment. The interview also highlights the importance of regional and European cooperation, the role of partnerships with the European Union and regional states, as well as their contribution to the modernization of the national army and the strengthening of the state’s resilience. Finally, it mentions the importance of unity among authorities, citizens, and external partners, the need to address hybrid threats, and the firm commitment to strengthen state institutions to ensure the peace, security, and stability of the Republic of Moldova.
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This material was produced with financial support from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Swedish MFA) and the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). Its content is the sole responsibility of the European Institute for Development Policy (EURODEV) in partnership with PISA and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs or the GMF.
