Ambassador Holland thanks Head of Mission Keiderling for the update on Mission activities over the last six months, and underlines the UK's enduring commitment to Moldova's security.
I would like to welcome Ambassador Keiderling back to the Permanent Council. Thank you for the written report on the activities of the Mission over the last six months, and for the comprehensive presentation this morning.
Let me start by offering my congratulations to President Sandu on her re-election, and to commend the Moldovan people for exercising their democratic rights despite unprecedented levels of interference from Russia, which sought to undermine their sovereign choice. Moldovans deserve free and fair elections, unsullied by foreign interference, propaganda and disinformation.
As we stated previously at the Permanent Council, the UK welcomes the preliminary conclusions of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission that the recent Presidential Elections and Constitutional Referendum were well managed and offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives. The UK has been an active partner in supporting Moldova to reinforce its long-term democratic resilience - including through the provision of technical assistance to Moldovan electoral institutions, which is helping to safeguard the transparency and inclusiveness of its electoral processes.
As our Foreign Secretary witnessed first-hand, alongside his Romanian colleague during their visit to Chisinau yesterday, UK support on cyber, counter-disinformation and judicial cooperation is helping Moldova to defend its democratic institutions from malign interference. The signing of a new UK-Moldova Defence and Security Partnership is a tangible demonstration of our enduring commitment to Moldova's security for the long term.
Mr Chair, we regret Russia's continued instrumentalisation of the Mission's mandate and reiterate our call for a return to a full 12-month directive to ensure it has the stability and predictability it needs to fulfil its vital role. The Mission's work is critical to preventing escalation, mitigating deterioration of relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol and finding practical solutions to the challenges of everyday life for all citizens on both banks of the Nistru.
It is heartening to hear that dialogue between the parties has continued, undeterred by recent hybrid assaults on Moldovan electoral processes. We commend the chief negotiators on both sides for their commitment to a peaceful resolution. In this context we note the lack of progress Russia has made in withdrawing its illegally stationed troops from Moldovan sovereign territory, which runs in direct contradiction to these efforts. Russia must remove its forces without delay and present a considered proposal to resume the process of removal and destruction of ammunition from the Cobasna site.
As many of us marked World Children's Day yesterday, we are reminded of the human cost these conflicts have on the most vulnerable members of society. The Mission's work to preserve and expand access to education is of crucial importance. We call on all participating States to strengthen our collective commitment to the Mission to support it in fulfilling this vital role.
To conclude, Ambassador Keiderling, the enduring energy and dedication that you and your team bring to advancing the cause of peaceful resolution is both greatly appreciated and critically important. The UK will continue to support you and the Mission in fulfilling your mandate, and to support peace and stability for the people of Moldova as we look toward a new year and beyond.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
