January 24, 2025, Chișinău – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the first round of Moldovan-Dutch bilateral consultations on cyber diplomacy, led by State Secretary Valeriu Mija and Ernst Noorman, Ambassador-at-Large from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The consultations covered current issues in cyber diplomacy in both countries, sharing relevant experiences and best practices for safeguarding democratic processes and addressing cyber threats in the context of increasing digitalization of national processes.

Special emphasis was placed on aligning Moldova’s regulatory framework with European Union cyber standards as part of the country’s EU accession process. Moldovan officials expressed gratitude for the support provided by Dutch experts in advancing digitalization and promoting cyber diplomacy. The benefits of this collaboration in strengthening national capacities to enhance resilience against cyber challenges and foster international cooperation were highlighted.

State Secretary Valeriu Mija stressed Moldova’s efforts to promote a culture of security among the population and strengthen the legislative and institutional framework to protect the increasingly digitalized national cyberspace. He also underlined the importance of collaboration and experience sharing to address the rising cyber threats targeting both governmental institutions and the private sector.

Ambassador Ernst Noorman shared the Netherlands’ experience in cyber diplomacy and digitalization, emphasizing effective cooperation between state institutions and the private and commercial sectors through public-private partnerships. The Dutch official reaffirmed support for enhancing Moldova’s capabilities in digitalization, diplomacy, and cybersecurity. He underscored the importance of consistent exchanges of best practices, experiences, and lessons learned to strengthen national resilience and support Moldova’s adaptation of its regulatory framework to EU standards.

During the visit to Chișinău, the Dutch delegation reviewed ongoing practical projects and Moldova’s priorities in this field. As a result, the parties agreed on the need to intensify bilateral cooperation through the exchange of best practices and the development of joint mechanisms to bolster cyber resilience against hybrid threats. Both sides also committed to maintaining a constant dialogue to promote a safe and stable digital environment.

The first round of consultations reaffirmed the mutual commitment of Moldova and the Netherlands to strengthening their bilateral partnership in cyber diplomacy and digitalization through enhanced and coordinated cooperation.