The prime minister made this statement at the opening of the first meeting of the Digital Connectivity Platform, which he attended alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The event is taking place on November 9–10 in Chisinau and is organized by the Moldovan government and the European Commission. "For a small country like Moldova, digitalization is essential for ensuring competitiveness. We cannot compete based on the size of our domestic market. We must compete based on speed, simplicity, and convenience in doing business," the prime minister stated. Speaking about the recent cyberattack on government infrastructure, Vasile Tofan emphasized the need for more effective defense mechanisms, including the use of artificial intelligence and expanded international cooperation. At the same time, the head of government advocates accelerating the digitization of public services and simplifying procedures for entrepreneurs so that Moldova can become a regional hub for trade, investment, and innovation, facilitating companies' access to the European market. "Moldova is open for business and ready to test innovative digital solutions in accordance with European standards. We must protect what we are building, but we must not stop building," added Vasile Tofan. President Maia Sandu, who attended the event, emphasized our country's strategic role in connecting the European Union with Ukraine and the opportunities that infrastructure development opens up for investors. "Moldova is a country that knows the price of isolation and has chosen connectivity, Europe, and the world," stated the head of state. For her part, Marta Kos emphasized the importance of investing in secure digital connectivity and strengthening regional cooperation. During the meeting, 10 declarations of intent were signed with partner countries, European companies, and international financial institutions. The documents provide for the development of digital infrastructure, including satellite communications, as well as the strengthening of scientific research and innovation. Two important initiatives were also announced for Moldova. The first involves launching a call for proposals to participate in the WiFi4Moldova program, which is funded by the European Union with 1 million euros. As part of the program, free and secure Wi-Fi hotspots will be established in at least 30 communities, with a special focus on underserved communities. The second initiative involves preparing a project to develop a secure, sustainable, and environmentally friendly data center in Moldova with support from the European Commission and Swedfund, a Swedish development finance institution. The data center is intended to promote the security and continuity of digital public services, advance cloud storage capabilities and artificial intelligence potential, and facilitate Moldova's integration into the European digital ecosystem while strengthening regional digital resilience. "We want Moldovans to see and experience more of Europe even before full accession," the European Commissioner stated. The Digital Connectivity Platform brings together officials from the European Union, the Black Sea region, the South Caucasus, Turkey, and Central Asia, as well as representatives from the business community and international financial institutions. Over the course of two days, participants will discuss cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, investment opportunities, and regional cooperation. The program also includes sessions focused on the business environment, aimed at identifying new opportunities for cooperation and developing regional partnerships. // 09.11.2026 — InfoMarket.