Sandu's Efficient Diplomacy
During her first presidential term, Maia Sandu spent half as much on foreign travel as her predecessor Igor Dodon—2.9 million lei versus 5.8 million lei—but delivered significantly greater diplomatic results, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES
Between 2017 and 2020, Dodon's 56 official trips, mostly to Russia and Belarus, cost over 103,500 lei per trip on average and led to greater international isolation. In contrast, Sandu made 65 visits from 2021 to 2024, averaging 44,600 lei each, and advanced Moldova’s ties with the EU, US, and other Western partners.
Under Sandu’s leadership, Moldova obtained EU candidate status, began accession talks, received crisis-related financial support, and gained access to a €1.9 billion European investment plan. Agreements on social protection, recognition of Moldovan driving licenses abroad, and infrastructure modernization support were also secured.
The figures, drawn from official presidential travel reports, highlight a strategic shift in foreign policy and a more efficient use of state resources.
