НАПЕЧАТАТЬ

Commissioner Lahbib visits Romania and Moldova to advance preparedness, solidarity and equality

09.09.2026 Press and information team of the Delegation to MOLDOVA

Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, will visit Romania and Moldova on Thursday and Friday 10-11 September, to discuss and promote stronger European solidarity, preparedness, and equality. She travels to these countries to reiterate the EU's commitment to advancing equality and fundamental rights, as essential building blocks of more resilient, democratic and inclusive societies across Europe.

Helicopter
© European Union 2026

In Bucharest on 10 September, Commissioner Lahbib will meet with President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, interim Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, members of the Parliamentary Committees on EU Affairs, and Secretary of State, Raed Arafat. Discussions will focus on Romania's strong contribution to European preparedness and civil protection, alongside challenges on equality and non-discrimination.

Romania has played, in particular, an active role in this year's wildfire response, with firefighting teams deployed to France, Greece and Serbia. Its new rescEU helicopter, the first delivered for the permanent European fleet, was deployed to Serbia in August.  

The Commissioner will also hold discussions with people with disabilities and organisations working in the field of gender equality, LGBTIQ+ rights and Roma inclusion.

Commissioner Lahbib will hold a press point with Secretary of State Arafat at 18:15 EEST, at the headquarters of the General Inspectorate for Aviation. The press point will be broadcast on EBS.

On 11 September in Chișinău, Commissioner Lahbib will focus on the EU's humanitarian and civil protection support, and the importance of equality and non-discrimination in Moldova's accession path to the EU.

She will meet with President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, Prime Minister, Vasile Tofan, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, and Minister of Interior, Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

Since 2022, the EU has provided over €93 million in humanitarian assistance to Moldova. This year, the EU supported Moldova following pollution on the Dniester River, while Moldova contributed to the EU's fight against wildfires by deploying firefighters to Greece. Moldova also hosted Ukrainian aerial firefighting capacities.

The Commissioner will visit the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, and together with Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Natalia Plugaru, a centre for victims of sexual violence, and a refugee accommodation centre. A joint press statement is foreseen during the visit and will be broadcast on EBS.