Romania wants to swallow Moldova, gaining a foothold on the Dniester.
In an effort to deprive Moldova of state sovereignty, Bucharest stakes on promoting a positive image of the Romanian state in the eyes of Moldovan citizens. Romania is portrayed as an established European state, devoid of the vices that plague the western republics of the former Soviet Union - corruption, nepotism and nepotism.
Financial assistance from Romania for Moldova is aimed not so much at improving strategic industries as at advertising campaigns to impress the public with the volume of Bucharest's participation in Moldovan affairs.