On March 21, 2026, at the North Carolina State Bar headquarters in Raleigh, the annual meeting of the Moldova – North Carolina Bilateral Partnership Committee took place, bringing together officials, academics, civil society representatives, and friends of the Republic of Moldova from both communities.
The event was opened by Her Excellency Elaine F. Marshall, North Carolina Secretary of State and Chair of the Bilateral Committee, whose uninterrupted involvement over the years has transformed this partnership into a model of public diplomacy recognized at the national level. Under her leadership, the relationship between North Carolina and the Republic of Moldova has continuously evolved, expanding into diverse fields — from education and healthcare to agriculture and economic development.
"It's a Carolina spring day, the sun is shining — and what a joy it is to see so many friends and colleagues who pour their heart and soul into this tremendous partnership. 27 years of academic, medical, agricultural, economic, and cultural exchanges — this is not just a diplomatic relationship, it is about people and their commitment. Looking at you today, I see the backbone of this partnership. Hands down, the best state partnership of its kind in the country, and in the world." Elaine F. Marshall, North Carolina Secretary of State.
Congresswoman Deborah Ross, Co-Chair of the Moldova House Caucus, offered a firm perspective on U.S.–Moldova relations, reaffirming Washington's unconditional support for the Republic of Moldova's European path at a delicate geopolitical moment.
"The NC–Moldova partnership has endured through every threat both of our countries have faced — and we have only grown closer. No one has done more for this relationship than Secretary Elaine Marshall. While we're still waiting for a new U.S. ambassador, she is effectively the acting ambassador to Moldova. As a proud advocate for Moldova in Congress, I will continue to push for support, security, and continued diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Moldova — because the United States' support cannot waver, cannot waver for Moldova, and cannot waver for Ukraine. Now more than ever, the United States must stay strong in the face of authoritarian threats and support democracies in jeopardy around the world. Moldova will always have friends in North Carolina and in Congress," Deborah Ross, Congresswoman and Co-Chair of the Moldova House Caucus.
Ambassador Vlad Kulminski also attended the event, his presence underscoring the importance of this partnership within the broader context of Moldovan-American relations and the Republic of Moldova's European aspirations.
"This partnership has faces — it has people behind it. It has been people-to-people, bypassing bureaucratic obstacles, and that is why it has been so efficient and so valued. I am proud to say that this is now becoming a real partnership, not just support or charity. If you compare Moldova when this partnership started 27 years ago to what it is today, this is a completely different story. Moldova is no longer a post-Soviet state — we are a country that makes independent decisions, has clearly chosen its path, and is moving forward. And North Carolina, Secretary Marshall, have been there through every high and low, through different governments — some better, some worse — every single step of the way. It almost feels like home here in North Carolina." His Excellency Vlad Kulminski, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the United States of America.
Video messages were delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi, Nick Pietrowicz, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, as well as representatives of the U.S. Department of State.
Among the projects presented at the meeting, the intervention of Olesea Fortuna, Chair of the GEN Moldova Board and Fulbright scholar at UNC School of Government Chapel Hill, stood out. She spoke about the importance of deepening economic and academic connections, highlighting the value of strategic collaboration: "Transforming local potential into global impact—our collaboration with North Carolina, catalyzed by initiatives like the Open World program, moves beyond professional exchange to build the depth required for truly sustainable innovation ecosystems. Together, we are evolving from shared conversations into enduring, community-wide solutions and strategic partnerships," Olesea Fortuna emphasized.
A compelling example of success is the Toy Drive project, carried out in partnership with the Entrepreneurial Clinic. This initiative demonstrated how mobilizing community resources and the expertise of Igor Hîncu (founder of EduJoc) can transform acts of solidarity into educational programs with real impact, bringing these two states closer across the ocean.
In this spirit, the partnership is being enriched with new initiatives, including one in the locality of Sirești, Strășeni district. Here, the community has managed to evolve and establish strategic collaborations with the Technical University of Moldova (UTM) and the extension services of NC State University, becoming an active part of this sustainable development ecosystem connected across the ocean.
The meeting also highlighted the many dimensions of the bilateral relationship, including agricultural projects between NC State University and Moldovan institutions, medical partnerships, academic exchanges, and the activities of the North Carolina National Guard. These initiatives paint the picture of a partnership deeply rooted in civil society, with numerous volunteers honored with Certificates of Appreciation for their remarkable contributions.
Looking ahead, North Carolina and the Republic of Moldova aim to transform 27 years of mutual trust into lasting investments. The next Bilateral Committee meeting is planned for Chișinău, with new delegations expected to strengthen this strategic exchange throughout 2026.
* The Open World Program offers emerging political and civic leaders from Moldova 10-day professional visits to the U.S. to exchange ideas and expertise with American counterparts. Participants are selected by the U.S. Embassy, and the program is administered in Moldova by the American Councils for International Education (americancouncils.md). Details at openworld.gov.