Prime Minister Maia Sandu, in the meeting held in Kiev with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, conferred on the regional security and European integration as a common goal of the two countries. The two officials also discussed the bilateral agenda of Moldova and Ukraine and the efforts aimed at building functional institutions for the people, IPN reports.
“I firmly support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and would like to express my profound respect for the Ukrainians who sacrificed their lives while defending the country, its sovereignty and European future,” Maia Sandu stated in the news conference held after the meeting.
In her speech, Premier Sandu noted that Moldova perceives the strategic partnership with Ukraine as an important pillar of national security. “The European integration and the implementation of the Association Agreement are objectives that we share with Ukraine. Several weeks ago, Moldova was still governed from the shadow by an oligarch who captured the state institutions and exploited Moldova as own property,” she said.
The official also said that Moldova aims to improve the bilateral relations with Ukraine. “We want closer cooperation with Ukraine in the economic and energy sectors. We will try to establish permanent and fully functional control over the common borders. We need a solid partnership to improve the ecological situation of the Nistru River. I’m convinced that we can find favorable solutions for our citizens and agree a common European agenda,” stated the Premier.
According to Maia Sandu, the non-functional institutions inherited from the previous government are the most serious problem of Moldova. The Ukrainian people always opposed those who tried to subdue them. “Moldova believes in the same values. We are free and have dignity. We believe in people and their rights and will do our best do defend them,” concluded the Prime Minister.
For his part, Volodymyr Zelensky said special attention was devoted to the prospects of the commercial cooperation. “In the course of 2018, trade between our states rose by 11% to almost US$ 1 billion. I think in the nearest future we will easily achieve the same indicator, but without “almost”,” he stated, being quoted in a press release of the Ukrainian presidential press service.
The interlocutors also discussed the prospects of connecting the energy systems of Ukraine and Moldova with the energy system of continental Europe. “I assured the Moldovan side that Ukraine will continue to be a reliable supplier of electricity to Moldova,” said the official, noting Ukraine will further provide complex support to Moldova’s territorial integrity and will actively take part in the Transnistrian settlement process.
