President Maia Sandu calls all citizens to the National Assembly “European Moldova” on May 21, in the Great National Assembly Square. The head of state announced that she has launched the initiative to convene a citizens’ assembly in Chisinau “to tell the world that we are Europeans and that this is the path we have chosen”.

President Maia Sandu’s message to citizens on the convening of the European Moldova National Assembly on 21 May

“Moldova is currently at a crossroads. What will happen to our country and our children’s future now depends on the power of our people to tell the world clearly what we want. It is crucial that we stand together on the same path and say it without equivocation – Moldova will succeed!

Moldova, like other European countries, is paying a huge price for Russia’s senseless war in Ukraine. For more than a year now, young people have been dying in fields where wheat used to grow. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people are being hit by bombs, in their homes, where two years ago they were leading their ordinary lives, with their daily cares and joys. Millions of people have lost everything they had, everything they had built up over a lifetime, and are on the run.

Russia continues an inhumane war against a peaceful neighbour. And it is trying to weaken the unity of Europe and the determination with which European countries oppose injustice and crime. The Kremlin’s blackmail has led to rising energy prices for everyone, and as a result, the prices of all goods and services have risen. Every person’s life has become more complicated, more expensive and more anxious after 24 February 2022.

During all this time, when Moldovans are working hard to take care of their families with dignity and to remain free, we still have people in our country threatening us with war. All this time, all of us, together with the Government, the parliamentary majority, have done everything to protect the people, we have acted predictably, disciplined and wisely to ensure peace and stability in our country. The true patriots in the institutions of force, who did their duty and respected their oath to the people, have played an important role. A big role has been played by our foreign friends who have helped us and have given the signal that they are ready to protect us from any threat.

Time has shown that we have chosen the right path, and those who dreamed of destabilising the situation in Moldova have failed. Our people are wise and have not fallen into the trap set by the cunning one.

At the same time, the dirty money, which finances attempts at destabilisation, continues to flow. There are mindless people in Moldova who look at what is happening in Ukraine and rejoice in the crimes there. Who see the horrors in Bahmut, Bucea, Mariupol, Herson and say their own are close. These people who sold out their country are now ready to see our villages and towns made one with the land just so they can return to power. They are ready to see their parents’ home hit by bombs just so they can steal billions more.

A group of thieves, paid with dirty money, has set out to block our European path, our path to peace and prosperity. The same characters have kept Moldova stuck in poverty and corruption, and now they are attacking it by poisoning the souls of our people, through quarrelling and division. The same dirty money corrupts various people to keep justice from being cleaned up. The same money funds the so-called protests. It would seem, from one side, that these groups who want to steal our freedom, who want to block our future, who want to destroy our peace and good understanding, are shouting louder than the voice of the people can be heard. Hundreds of thousands of people are watching as a handful of corrupt people plan to steal our children’s future.

Europe is watching. The whole world is watching.

Many are under the mistaken impression that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova look on with indifference. Many mistakenly believe that the citizens of our country are indifferent and take no action. Some still question whether our people really want to join the European Union.

I propose that we answer them.

I urge you to show, as a people, our clear decision to be part of the European family, based on respect, stability and economic cooperation. I urge you to show that the only master of this land is the people of the Republic of Moldova. I urge you to explain to those who still have doubts that decisions on the future of the Republic of Moldova are taken in the Republic of Moldova.

The time has come for Moldovans to show that we are a determined people, a people who are masters in their own house, a people who can stand up for democracy, peace and communities.

I believe that the time has come for those who are watching us, both in the East and in the West, to see that we are united and courageous in the decisive moments of our destiny.

I am announcing that I have launched the initiative to convene a citizens’ meeting in Chisinau to tell the world that we are Europeans and that this is the path we have chosen. Let us give an answer to those who ask what Moldovans want. A clear and resounding answer. Let our voice, the voice of the many, the voice of our people, be heard.

The ‘European Moldova’ National Assembly will be held on 21 May in the Grand National Assembly Square. Everyone’s voice will cement our European path. I come with an appeal to all – people who work the land, teachers, students, NGOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, people of culture, private sector employees, civil servants – together to support our common dream. Let’s show that we want peace. We want the European Union to be our home. Just as we came together when we demanded independence and got it. Just as we came together and defended our democracy and stood our ground in the hardest of times. So let us gather now.

I will be discussing the details of this event with pro-European political forces, with civil society, with academia, with the personalities of our country in the immediate future, but first of all I wanted to address the people directly. Even if we have certain grievances, even if we sometimes have different opinions, now is not the time for quarrelling and division. Now is the time to unite and become part of the European family together. I come with this appeal, because at crucial moments big decisions are not taken by politicians alone. Big decisions are taken by people in the Great National Assembly Square.

We are at a great crossroads. What we do now will affect our lives, our children’s lives and our children’s children’s lives. Future generations will look at how we behaved during these times and ask – what did we do to defend our country. What did we do to be part of the civilized world that solves problems without war? What have we done for future generations to guard them from harm? How did we come together and decide that the fate of our children will be a future of peace, goodwill and well-being?

On 21 May 2023 we will gather to answer these questions together.

I am waiting for you at the European Moldova National Assembly”, said President Maia Sandu in her address to the citizens.

President Maia Sandu’s address to all citizens of Moldova can be watched here.

At the 13th meeting of the Parliamentary Association Committee of Moldova – EU, a joint declaration was adopted in support of the European path of our country, which provides, among other things, the start of negotiations for the accession of Moldova to the European Union as soon as possible, after the 9 recommendations of the European Commission (EC) are fulfilled.

On 3 March 2022, Moldova applied for membership of the European Union (EU) and on 23 June the European Council granted Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidate countries for EU membership.