Not allowing turning nuclear power plants into a theater of war and ensuring strict monitoring on the part of experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency are pressing necessities, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, stated in the informal meeting of the EU foreign affairs ministers. The event was hosted by Czech foreign minister Jan Lipavský, IPN reports, with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.

In his speech, the Moldovan official spoke about the common challenges and concerns in the context of the new geopolitical realities following Russia’s unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, which has a serious impact on the region and on the Republic of Moldova.

“We are a community of countries that share the same values of democracy, freedom, the rule of law and adherence to rules-based international order,” stated Nicu Popescu.

He spoke about the recent actions taken by the Republic of Moldova to show solidarity with Ukraine, including by ensuring solidarity lanes for grain and fuel, restoration of the Basarabeasca – Berezino railway section after two months of works and facilitation of freight between Moldova and Ukraine.

“As all the others in Europe, our country is bracing for a hard winter given the ongoing war and the uncertainty related to the supply of energy... I assured my counterparts from the EU that we will continue to work to minimize the impact of the war and to contribute to regional stability, accelerating simultaneously the pace of transforming the country so as to come closer to the EU and to bring concrete benefits to the citizens,” said the Deputy Premier.

The EU foreign affairs ministers’ meeting in the Gymnich format was held in Prague on August 30 – 31. It was the first meeting in this format in which the Republic of Moldova took part as a future EU member state.