Spain to open diplomatic office in Moldova amid rising tensions in region

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday announced that Spain will open a diplomatic office in Moldova to reinforce bilateral ties.

“The Spanish government will support Moldova to overcome this traumatic crisis,” he said, referring to the war in neighboring Ukraine and worries that it could spill over into Moldova.

Sanchez made the announcement during a visit to the Moldovan capital Chisinau, marking the first official visit to the country by any Spanish prime minister.

Later, his itinerary will take him to a Ukrainian refugee camp inside the international exhibition center MoldExpo.

Spain, according to Sanchez, will welcome 2,000 Ukrainian refugees who are currently residing in Moldova.

He also met with the Moldovan president and prime minister.

The newly announced diplomatic office will be Spain’s first in the country. Currently, the nearest Spanish diplomatic office or embassy is located in the Romanian capital Bucharest.

“Today, I’m in Moldova to reiterate our support and commitment to Moldova in a moment of major international tensions,” he said.

“Spain defends the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova.”

Moldova, a former Soviet republic, sits on Ukraine’s southwest border and is located around 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa.

The nation has a relatively small military and neutrality was enshrined in its post-Soviet constitution.

Moldova is also home to the breakaway Transnistria region, which is controlled by pro-Russian separatists.