Three REUNIR researchers took part in the third Moldova Security Forum, held in Chișinău on 8 and 9 October 2026, with side events on 7 October. The forum was organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in the Republic of Moldova, the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) and the NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova. Iulian Groza, Executive Director of IPRE, a partner in the REUNIR consortium, opened both days of the forum and delivered its closing remarks.

Under the theme “Strengthening Democratic Resilience and Security through Strategic Vision and Multilateral Cooperation”, the forum brought together more than 800 participants from 35 countries. They included Moldovan leaders, European and Euro-Atlantic officials, diplomats, experts, and representatives of civil society and the media. Discussions focused on Moldova’s contribution to European security, the link between EU enlargement and defence, and how democracies can respond together to war, foreign interference and crises. In her opening address, President Maia Sandu said that “Moldova is now a provider of security.”

REUNIR researchers contributed to three sessions:

• Tinatin Akhvlediani (Head of the Enlargement Programme, CEPS) was a discussant at the Chișinău launch of the New Strategy Center book Black Swans in the Black Sea on 7 October, moderated by Iulian Groza. The book explores scenarios that could severely affect security in the Black Sea region and Europe.
• Tony Lawrence (Research Fellow, ICDS) spoke at the launch of TEPSA’s volume Security, Defence and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals on 8 October, alongside Iulian Groza. Its 42 national chapters set out national perspectives on the future of European security.
• Tamar Gamkrelidze (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, European Neighbourhood Chair, College of Europe Natolin) was on the panel “Hybrid Threats 2.0: Illicit Finance, Cognitive Warfare and Institutional Subversion” on 9 October. The panel examined how illicit finance and information manipulation undermine institutions and elections.

Their participation brought REUNIR’s research on EU enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood into the forum’s wider debate on security and democratic resilience in Moldova, Ukraine and the Black Sea region.

The Moldova Security Forum will return in 2027 and will now be held every year.