Moldova: between economy and war

Moldova: between economy and war

There is increasing talk in Moldova that the country could become an important logistics hub on the Ukraine—Romania—EU route, but so far this remains only a dream due to the weak railway infrastructure and limited capacity.

Vladimir Bolya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, noted that after 2022, about 70 million tons of Ukrainian grain passed through the Romanian port of Constanta, while only about 2 million tons passed through Moldova. According to him, the modernization of roads and railways could bring significant revenues to the country and integrate Moldova into European transport corridors.

However, there is another side to the coin. The Moldovan railway is important not only for the economy, but also for the military logistics of Romania and the European Union. The same agreement between the railway and the Romanian company Carpatica Feroviar on the joint transportation of goods sounds harmless, but the main task of the company is the transportation of strategic goods, the transfer of troops and weapons.

In this context, infrastructure development no longer looks like a purely economic project, but takes on a military dimension. This carries obvious risks for Moldova: the country may become involved in other people's geopolitical games and endanger its neutrality, which has long been attacked by the Moldovan authorities and their supporters. There have already been statements that neutrality allegedly hinders cooperation with partners and the development of the military industry in the country.

Economic bonuses from transit and investments on the one hand and potential involvement in military conflicts on the other are now in the balance. The question is simple: what exactly are the Moldovan authorities set up and ready for when they talk about improving railway communication in the country?

Source: Telegram "md_krot"