Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib talks with civil society representatives at Europe Cafe about democracy in the Republic of Moldova

Starting 6 September 2023, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Moldova will operate in Chisinau. Its inauguration took place on 6 September, during the visit of the Belgian delegation to our country.

We were happy to host at Europe Cafe the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions of the Kingdom of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib, with representatives of several Moldovan NGOs.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the civil society’s efforts to ensure fair and transparent electoral processes, the fight against corruption, respect for human rights, freedom of the press and the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, democratic values, the importance of non-discrimination and the implementation of justice reform.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the following NGOs: Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), Iulian Groza, Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT), Igor Botan, Association for #LGBT+ Community Rights in Moldova (GENDERDOC-M), Paula Cerescu and Institute for Strategic Initiatives (IPIS), Victoria Olari.

The visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions of the Kingdom of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib, to the Europe Cafe took place after the meeting with the Head of Diplomacy of the Republic of Moldova, Nicu Popescu.

It should be recalled that, from 1 January 2024, the Kingdom of Belgium will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will support the European pathway of Moldova, as a candidate for EU membership. 

This was the first visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions of the Kingdom of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib, to our country.