Kaja Kallas’ Historic Visit to Europe Café: Engaging in Dialogue with Young European Ambassadors

A landmark moment for Europe Café—and for the entire country. On April 24, we had the honor of welcoming the Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, to Europe Café for an open dialogue with the Young European Ambassadors. Addressing the participants, the EU official emphasized that young people are not only the future but also the present, highlighting the importance of exchanging ideas and listening to their views on what could be improved.

The meeting was also attended by Mihai Popșoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova.

During the discussion, the young ambassadors raised key topics, including:

• the stages of Moldova’s EU integration;
• the challenges facing the country on this path;
• how the EU is responding to global crises.

As part of the broader conversation on Moldova’s path toward EU membership, the officials underlined the critical importance of ongoing reforms. They noted that successfully implementing reforms helps secure the support of European partners and builds trust in Moldova’s commitment to its goals.

The need for thorough preparation ahead of accession was also stressed as being just as important as the final objective itself. Emphasis was placed on the importance of readiness, both economically and institutionally, to ensure a sustainable and effective integration into the EU.

Context

This marks Kaja Kallas’ first visit to the Republic of Moldova in her capacity as Vice-President of the European Commission, a role she assumed on December 1, 2024. Her visit included meetings with President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi, as well as other officials. Discussions focused on Moldova’s European path and the support provided by the European Union through the Economic Growth Plan and the European Peace Facility, which is helping strengthen Moldova’s institutions in the fields of security and defense.