With Ina for coffee: H.E.  EMIL SOLINEČKI, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Moldova in the Republic of Croatia

By Ina Stašević from Croatia: Today, Moldova is on the way to stronger integration with Europe.  As you know, in June 2022, the European Council granted the status of a candidate for EU membership to the Republic of Moldova.  It is important for us to achieve this and we deeply appreciate the international support for the European aspirations of Moldovans - says H.  Exc.  Emil Solenički, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Moldova in the Republic of Croatia, and adds:
- Moldova has had European aspirations since its independence was declared.  We have made significant progress in international relations and progress towards the European future, but we still have a lot of work to do.

 Many reforms need to be implemented, especially in the area of rule of law, fight against corruption and strengthening of economic capacities.  We have the support of European partners, and we look to the future with optimism.       
As we know, the country's leadership leads an independent foreign policy and the country is militarily neutral, based on the values of peace and humanity.  Under the current leadership of President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean, what kind of policy does Moldova continue to promote and does its neutrality protect the country?
Under the leadership of President Maia Sandu, who took office in 2020, and Prime Minister Dorin Recean, who took office in 2023, Moldova promotes policies focused on European integration, democratic reforms, and economic development.  Until now, Moldovan officials have actively participated in numerous events, informal meetings with ministers of justice, Union conferences in order to get closer to the European Union.  The country's military neutrality helps maintain peace and stability, but it also poses a challenge in the context of regional security threats, especially given the situation in Ukraine.  Therefore, the Government cooperates with the EU and NATO and has the duty to prepare for the entire spectrum of scenarios.

Why is wine the pride of the Moldovan people?
Wine is the pride of Moldova due to its long tradition and high quality.  Moldavian viticulture goes back a long way in history, so today the country is known for its truly excellent wines that win international awards and recognitions.  I don't know if you know, but in Moldova near the capital Chisinau there is a real wine world, the huge underground city Milestii Mici with miles of tunnels filled with wine.  It is the largest wine cellar in the world, created when an old limestone mine and its caves were converted into a wine cellar with cascades in the 1960s.  Each "street" of that underground city has a name and preserves certain varieties of wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling... Visitors can tour that underground city by slowly driving special electric cars for those streets or bicycles kilometers deep through the labyrinth and tasting in fully equipped tasting rooms  wine.   There are still many options for visitors to feel a unique and wonderful experience and get to know the wine culture of Moldova.  There is also the largest wine collection in the world in terms of the number of bottles according to the Guinness Book of Records.  Moldovans are proud of their wines and the wine industry is important to this country.  Therefore, the National Wine Day is celebrated every year in October.
A large Moldovan diaspora lives and works in Italy and Hungary.  The war between Russia and Ukraine significantly worsened the socioeconomic situation in the country.  How many refugees from Ukraine are currently staying in Moldova? 

The war in Ukraine brought a significant number of refugees to Moldova.  It is difficult to talk about specifics numbers, but currently, Moldova is one of the countries that shelters a large share of refugees from Ukraine, which further burdens the country's socioeconomic resources.  However, Moldova strives to provide the necessary assistance and support as much as possible.  There is no doubt that the war contributed and has a negative effect on industry and production, and that it affected the interruption of some trade routes.  What is visible is the deterioration of the socioeconomic situation, the presence of high inflation as well as the increase in the price of gas and electricity, because the energy system of Moldova is connected to Ukraine and Russia.  All this burdened the citizens, which resulted in emigration.
What worries you the most in the future?
The biggest concern for the future is the security situation in the region and the economic stability of Moldova.  Also, it is important to continue reforms in order to ensure a better future for all citizens.  Support from the international community is also needed to strengthen Moldova's capacity to face these challenges.  Looking globally, the growth of the wealth of a section of people around the world that could lead to social and political unrest is worrisome.  The wide reach of digital technologies could, through cyber terrorism, have unwanted and negative consequences that could disrupt business and management models.  World issues are becoming more and more global and more complex.  The ability to make social decisions diminishes, eventually allowing the individual to act independently, to build and deploy biological weapons of mass destruction.  But I still hope that ways will be found for positive cooperation between governments, international organizations and creative individuals.