The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, gave a speech in Brussels on Wednesday, December 15, during the Sixth Summit of the Eastern Partnership. During the speech, the head of state spoke about the elections, the reform of the judiciary, the support provided by the European Union, but also about the recovery of Moldova and the integration into the EU.

The full speech of the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu:

“Dear President Michel.

Dear President Von der Leyen,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to speak to you in person today at the Sixth Eastern Partnership Summit. The long-awaited Summit is an opportunity for us to take stock of our progress and reaffirm Moldova’s commitment to the Eastern Partnership agenda. A partnership based on mutual interests, shared values, and responsibilities.

The Eastern Partnership has been a success for Moldova so far. It has opened the borders for our citizens, strengthened and reformed our economy, built trade routes, and brought about beneficial changes for the people. Thanks to the Eastern Partnership, our citizens travel without a visa, our young people benefit from EU scholarships, and our goods reach the European Union market.

Moldovans benefited from the Eastern Partnership even when Moldovan governments did not share European values. Here, in particular, I would like to thank the European Union and its Member States for the tireless and generous support we received during the Covid pandemic and the gas crisis. The EU has literally garnered support in a matter of hours. And I’m not exaggerating.

Dear Colleagues,

This year, Moldova has undergone a historic transformation. We have had elections and, for the first time, people have chosen a truly pro-European government that believes in EU values ​​and is committed to reform. Our citizens have given us a strong mandate to reform, develop and modernize Moldova, to fight corruption, and to implement justice reform.

People’s expectations are high and the stakes are even higher. We are working hard on reforms in various sectors, such as justice, energy, security, police, infrastructure, the environment and attracting investment, public finances, and public administration, among others. We want to build new roads, schools, hospitals, strengthen the business climate, attract investment, create new jobs, lift the country out of poverty and raise living standards. Actions that are also in line with the EU’s long-term policy objectives.

But we can’t do all this alone. Our political will and determination to change our country can only be successful if combined with the support of our EU partners. That is why, today, we wholeheartedly support the joint declaration of the Eastern Partnership as a commitment to put Moldova and our region on the path to recovery, reform, and resilience.

The Eastern Partnership has been a success for Moldova, and I am convinced that the aspirations of Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia to move forward in the dialogue with the EU are a reflection of our readiness to continue our integration. Sectoral integration will deepen our cooperation and make the region more resilient to internal and external challenges.

Steps towards sectoral integration, such as reduced roaming prices with the EU, liberalization of access to the transport market, accession to its Single Euro Payments Area, gradual integration into the EU internal market will have a major positive impact on Moldova and its citizens.

But it is no secret that our ambition is to one day bring Moldova to the EU. The Eastern Partnership is an opportunity for us to consolidate and deepen our European choice, and we are ready to work hard to move beyond the current framework.

Dear Colleagues,

There are three major themes that dominate the discussions of this summit in relation to the Eastern Partnership countries: Recovery, Resilience, and Reform. As we approach the French Presidency of the Council, I would like to add another “R” – Rapprochement.

Closer rapprochement through deeper EU integration for those partners who are interested, ready, and determined to move forward. Our relationship is long-term and we are ready to make it stronger and closer, for the benefit of all.

Thank you.”

On December 14-15, President Moldova, Maia Sandu, was in Brussels to attend the Sixth Eastern Partnership Summit.

During her visit, President Sandu met with Heads of State and Government of the EEA and EU countries, as well as with senior European Union officials.

The delegation of Moldova included Cristina Gherasimov, Secretary General of the Office of the President, Nicu Popescu, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, and Ambassador Daniela Morari, Head of the Moldovan Mission to the European Union.

The leaders of Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova lobbied the European Union at the Eastern Partnership summit to allow them to start negotiations to join the EU, Reuters reports.

• Joint Declaration Signed by the Presidents of Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine on the Sixth Eastern Partnership Summit: “We call on the EU to support the sovereign choice of our states”

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday, before attending the summit, that he will campaign for Moldova’s accession to the European Union and will demand that the EU become more involved in resolving conflicts affecting EU partners. writes Digi24.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis says that Romania wants Moldova to join the European Union and that at the EU level there must be strategic clarity on this issue, writes the press across the Prut.

“It simply came to our notice then. Moldova must implement the reforms, the state institutions must function in such a way as to comply with European expectations, all European values ​​must be respected,” Iohannis declared.

“There is a need in many areas in Moldova – when we talk about the economy to create for the first time the conditions of fair competition and independence of producers and regulators. There are many issues that need to be resolved by Moldova,” the president explained.

“At the same time, there must be strategic clarity within the Union, whether we want Moldova to become a member state or not. Romania wants this, we have said it countless times and we can help them to overcome, to implement their reforms, to improve their economic performance. And we will do all these things,” added Iohannis.