Today, Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Mike Lawler (NY-17), co-chairs of the Congressional Moldova Caucus, led 12 colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken encouraging him to support Moldova’s bid to join the European Union (EU).

“Since Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991, the country has faced repeated threats from Russia,” the members wrote. “These threats have only been exacerbated by Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Today, Moldova is experiencing a substantial increase in intimidation by the Russian government, which is actively working to undermine Moldova’s democratic system.

The members continued, “Accession to the European Union would advance U.S. interests in the region, safeguard Moldova’s democratic institutions, and help to secure a more peaceful and prosperous future for the Moldovan people.”

As co-chair of the Congressional Moldova Caucus, Congresswoman Ross has worked to strengthen the U.S.-Moldova relationship and has been a vocal supporter of Moldova’s efforts to join the EU.

In addition to Ross and Lawler, Representatives Kathy Manning (NC-06), Dina Titus (NV-01), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Bill Keating (MA-09), Pat Fallon (MA-04), Richard Hudson (NC-09), August Pfluger (TX-11), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) signed the letter.

Full text of the letter is available here.