Interview with Pierre Dumazeau, founder of In.Europa, a consultancy firm specialising in communications, influence strategy, monitoring and event diplomacy for institutional stakeholders and private businesses, operating from Chișinău.
Are Moldova and France two friendly powers?
Yes, and for a long time now! To take just one economic example: France was one of the first countries to invest in the Republic of Moldova back in the 1990s... and immediately understood the potential of this small country, which acts as a bridge between the European Union and Eastern European countries. Nowadays, political relations are also very strong: the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, is very close to Emmanuel Macron. The French president has understood and is supporting Moldova's desire for integration into the European Union. As proof, his numerous statements welcoming Moldova's accession to «candidate country» status for EU membership in June 2022. Finally, it is impossible to discuss Franco-Moldovan relations without mentioning the French-speaking world (la francophonie) that permeates Moldova: Moldovans love France, and many of them learn French. The country has been a member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) since 1996 and, locally, the Alliance Française continues to promote la francophonie and French language courses ever higher.
What can France bring to Moldova?
France can (and even should) strengthen its strategic presence through businesses. Numerous opportunities are available to our major French groups as well as our smaller entrepreneurs: ease of establishment, the presence of the French-Moldovan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a strategic geographical location as mentioned previously, tax advantages, etc. France could considerably increase its French corporate presence locally. Because the political support is already there: politically, the two countries work together and are coordinated. France could therefore provide greater economic support, and the recent local establishment of the AFD has already marked a very strong signal.
Conversely, what can a former Soviet bloc country like Moldova concretely bring to France?
Moldova has many strengths: on the one hand, the Moldovan diaspora is very significant in France, owing to the bonds of friendship that I mentioned earlier. This diaspora can help to strengthen the bonds of friendship and the Francophonie, which already has a strong presence. Furthermore, Moldova is a welcoming land for French businesses, as previously stated. There are therefore certainly interconnections to be made.
What are the advantages and disadvantages for Moldova today?
Moldova undeniably has many assets: it is an eco-friendly country, Chisinau is a green city, and the capital offers numerous infrastructures for families and children. It is a safe country which, despite its difficulties, continues to develop and open up internationally. However, the Republic of Moldova still has certain significant areas for improvement: the airport must be expanded and better connected to the rest of the world; the local political context must continue to be stabilised, and the standard of living must rise further. But it is a virtuous system: for this to happen, Moldova must invest massively and warmly welcome certain foreign investments. And Franco-Moldovan friendship can contribute to this virtuous circle!
French 
English 
Chinese 
Arabic