The preparation of the Ministerial Conference of the Moldova Support Platform, which will take place this autumn in Chisinau, was discussed in Berlin by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, this conference will facilitate new cooperation initiatives, IPN reports.
“We are glad to have Germany as co-president of the Platform, alongside Romania and France. This conference will facilitate new cooperation initiatives, strengthen bilateral relations and bring support to the Republic of Moldova’s economic development and European integration,” said Minister Popșoi.
During the discussion, the officials conferred on the current stage of the bilateral relations between Moldova and Germany, as well as on ways to boost them. They exchanged views on the priorities of the governments. Mihai Popșoi highlighted Moldova’s progress on the path of European integration and thanked Germany for its constant support in this process.
“We want the Republic of Moldova to legalize its status as a truly European country. For this reason, we are making sustained efforts in the reform process, both in the justice sector, fighting corruption, as well as in promoting human rights and women’s involvement in politics. We want to become a member state of the European Union because this guarantees peace, calmness and the prosperity of our country. Every citizen knows the importance of this aspiration, whether they speak Romanian or Russian, whether they live in Chisinau, Comrat, Balti or Tiraspol,'” stated the Moldovan officials.
The officials also discussed the security challenges in the region, especially the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine. Minister Popșoi categorically condemned Russia’s aggression and reaffirmed Moldova’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the principles of international law. “Our country will stand firm on these positions and we will continue to provide all support to our Ukrainian neighbors and friends,” noted the foreign minister.
He stressed the importance of the German investments in Moldova, which significantly increase the quality of life of the Moldovan citizens.
For her part, Minister Baerbock said that Moldova’s place is in the big European family. “Your place is in Europe. Germany stands by you. We will continue this partnership in the future through the Support Platform, which, from an ad-hoc platform, will turn into a long-term partnership. This will be essential to unconditionally support your European path and reform process in the European Union. The Republic of Moldova’s accession is not just a geopolitical necessity or a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression. Despite a difficult environment, you have initiated extremely important reforms in the country. Impressively, for two years, the people of the Republic of Moldova have been facing daily this danger of war in the region,” said the German minister.
The two officials also welcomed the opening of new air routes by Eurowings, from Chisinau to Cologne and Stuttgart in May and the resumption of the Chisinau-Frankfurt route by Lufthansa. These achievements mark significant steps in strengthening the cultural and economic connections between Germany and Moldova.