On 4 May 2023, an expert discussion on the situation in Moldova and the role of the European Union in Southeast Europe took place at the Academy for International Affairs NRW. After a welcome by Dr Mayssoun Zein Al Din, Executive Director of the Academy of International Affairs, keynote speeches followed by Ambassador (ret.) Dr Thomas Mayr-Harting, OSCE Special Representative for the Settlement of the Transnistrian Conflict, and Inna Șupac, Fellow at the Academy for International Affairs and Moldovan policy expert.
Ulrich Schlie took part in the subsequent discussion on the impact of the Ukraine war on the region, the special role of energy policy and European support for the Republic of Moldova. Ms Șupac underlined the importance of internal social cohesion, also in view of Moldova's possible accession to NATO and the EU.