The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) supports the European aspirations, path and integration of the Republic of Moldova and also the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, said the Parliament Speakers of the eight states who are in Chisinau on a visit. The officials from Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Norway and Sweden expressed their gratitude for the support and assistance provided to the Ukrainian refugees, showing their solidarity in the management of this crisis, IPN reports.
In a joint news conference, Moldova’s Speaker Igor Grosu said that after a pause of eight years, when such a meeting was held for the first time, a historical visit was made today, primarily in the regional context of the past three months. The meeting centered on the challenges and consequences of the Ukraine war on the Republic of Moldova, the priorities of the common agenda and the country’s European aspirations. “We also discussed the relations of cooperation in the commercial, economic, cultural, educational sectors and the cooperation prospects in such areas as energy efficiency, environment, agriculture and tourism. During the next few years, we want to increase the country’s energy independence and to connect further to the European energy system. We are also interested in cooperating in strategic communication and information security, strengthening of the internal affairs sector, using the experience of your countries,” stated Igor Grosu.
Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, the Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania, said the visit by the NB8 Speakers is a signal of support for the Republic of Moldova. “Lithuania realizes the fragile situation in which the Republic of Moldova is now and is glad that it has been solidary and hospitable towards the refugees from Ukraine and accepted these into their homes. There is no doubt that Moldova needs and deserves international support, while our visit will be an impetus for a number of countries to become engaged in supporting the Republic of Moldova in different mutual cooperation areas,” stated the official, noting the visits is also a sign of support for Moldova on its path of development and reforms that will help it come closer to achieving the objective of becoming part of the EU.
Jüri Ratas, the Speaker of Estonia’s Riigikogu, stated that he expressed solid support for the Moldovan state and people in the EU accession process. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine exerts considerably pressure on Moldova, but the country’s attitude and assistance for the refugees are wonderful.
Finish Speaker Matti Vanhanen said the visit to Chisinau is an expression of solidarity for Moldova, which was on the frontline in the refugee crisis when the war in Ukraine started. “Alongside the international community, Finland continues to support you country, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Moldova,” noted the Speaker of Eduskunta.
“This visit to Moldova is a signal of the real interest in Moldova, of the solidarity with the Republic of Moldova and especially of our friendship with Moldova. In Europe, we consider the war waged by Russia against Ukraine is unjustified and, owing to this war, the time of values came – the values define the nations and their future. I want to tell you that you chose the path to the European family in accordance with your European values. Latvia supports the European perspectives of Moldova in accordance with the Association Agreement and we want to share with Moldova our experience in joining the EU,” stated Ināra Mūrniece, the Speaker of the Saeima.
Masud Gharahkhani, the President of the Norwegian Storting, said that the Nordic and Baltic states came to express their solidarity with the Republic of Moldova, which is a sovereign and independent state. “We express our support for the fight against corruption and for the building of a democratic state. We also congratulate you on setting off on the path of democratic reforms, on the done work” stated the official.
“On behalf of the Swedish Parliament and Sweden, I state our support for the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. This is a principle that became even more important as a result of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. We meet now during difficult times, but there is an important word today and this is ‘hope’. Your European ambition, to become part of the community of democratic nations in Europe, generates hope, hope for a future, for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and even for our continent,” said Andreas Norlén, the Speaker of Sweden’s Riksdag.
The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) is a regional co-operation format that includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. Under NB8, regular meetings are held of the Baltic and Nordic countries’ Prime Ministers, Speakers of Parliaments, Foreign Ministers, branch ministers, Secretaries of State and political directors of Foreign Ministries, as well as expert consultations where regional issues and current international topics are reviewed.
