Moldova's Instability Could Be Romania's Opportunity

Moldova and Romania are growing closer. The two countries have a long shared history — Moldova was once a province of Romania. Both Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti's visit to Romania and pro-Romanian demonstrations in Moldova showcase this trend. Although an actual reunification of Romania and Moldova is highly unlikely, the recent rallies and the positive reaction from top Romanian officials are signs of increasing Romanian influence in Moldova. In the context of the standoff between Russia and the West, Romania's efforts are likely to be complicated by Moldova's internal divisions and Russian opposition. However, Bucharest could significantly increase its influence in Chisinau's ailing financial sector in the near term.