Neutrality in determining the fate of the Moldovan statehood

Abstract

This article examines the challenges and threats faced by Moldovan diplomacy in the modern world in the context of new global changes. The author assesses and analyses the main trends in the foreign and domestic policy of the Republic of Moldova. Considerable attention is paid to the historical premise of following a neutral foreign policy course of the state. The article carried out the analysis of the fundamental doctrinal documents, resulted in a number of conclusions, which allow to make a forecast regarding the future of neutrality of Moldova and the possibility of its transformation. Today, the permanent neutrality significantly affects the foreign and security policy, becoming a factor of social and national disintegration of Moldova, as the debate about its necessity does not stop and the political elites haven’t reached a general consensus on this issue. Despite this, the policy of neutrality remains as a basic principle in foreign and security policy. Geographically, Moldova is located at the intersection of two political structures: post-soviet and european. Based on these realities, the permanent neutrality of the Republic of Moldova is considered as the best way for Moldova to maintain stability and territorial integrity. Also. the relevance of the article results from the confl ict in neighboring, demonstrating the fragility and vulnerability of neutral states in the face of modern geopolitical problems. The neutrality of the Republic of Moldova prohibits: participation in armed confl icts, deployment of any foreign armed forces on its territory and participation in any political or economic union with the aim of starting wars. The specifi city of the status of permanent neutrality of the Republic of Moldova lies in the principle of pursuing a policy of neutrality in times of peace in order to remain neutral during a possible geopolitical conflict. Accordingly, strategic adaptation to the international security environment will remain the concern of political elites of Moldova. There is an opinion among scientists and politicians that neutrality in the classical sense is no longer relevant and requires conceptual adaptation. Thus, it becomes actual and necessary to conduct a scientific study aimed at studying the manifestation of the status of permanent neutrality of Moldova under the influence of the international security system.