Norway to open embassy office in Moldova

‘Due to the security situation in Europe, we are having to shift our focus and reallocate resources. Over the past year, we have increased the number of diplomatic staff at selected Norwegian embassies in Europe including Kyiv, Bucharest and Vilnius. And now, for the first time, we are opening a Norwegian mission in Moldova,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. 

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is also having a severe impact on neighbouring Moldova, which has taken in a huge number of Ukrainian refugees. Norway has significantly increased its support to Moldova since the start of the war in 2022. 

In 2023, Moldova received more than NOK 500 million in support from Norway. In addition, Norway has provided NOK 420 million for humanitarian efforts in Moldova since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Moldova will continue to receive substantial support from Norway in 2024, including under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. The new embassy office in Chișinău will play an important role in ensuring effective follow-up of this support. 

Funding from Norway is being used to help the Moldovan authorities to deal with the current crisis. We support Moldova’s efforts to implement democratic reforms and its ambitions for closer cooperation with the rest of Europe. Funds provided by Norway have been used, among other things, to pay salaries for public employees in Moldova and to help procure gas before the winter.

‘The establishment of an embassy office sends a clear signal of our support at this critical time for Moldova and Europe. Russia’s war against Ukraine threatens the security of all of Europe. There is nothing to suggest that the war will be over soon. Both Ukraine and Moldova will need our help for years to come,’ said Foreign Minister Eide.