A declaration on bilateral cooperation to strengthen the resilience of Moldova was signed in Chisinau by President Maia Sandu and her Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis, visiting Moldova today on Romanian Language Day. The declaration reaffirms Romania’s strong support in the context of the numerous challenges faced by Moldova.

After the bilateral talks with the Romanian president and signing the declaration, Maia Sandu said that today Chisinau and Bucharest enjoy the deepest relationship ever. “We are grateful to Romania for the support offered in strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova, and the declaration signed today reaffirms your strong support in the context of the many challenges that we face”.

She added that Romania plays an essential role in consolidating Moldova’s independence, including energy security. Since the Iași-Ungheni gas pipeline was put into operation in 2021, Moldova no longer depends on a single gas supplier and can cover the consumption needs of the right bank of the Nistru by buying gas from the European market. The president also appreciated Romania’s contribution to the construction of five bridges over the Prut and rehabilitation of social infrastructure, including over 1,000 kindergartens.

“Romania is Moldova’s main trade partner and the biggest investor in our economy […] And on the international level, Romania is the biggest advocate of Moldova’s European course. I am confident that we will continue to develop this partnership for the common benefit of the people on both sides of the Prut”, declared Maia Sandu.

For his part, President Klaus Iohannis praised today’s declaration as a political document that supports and strengthens bilateral cooperation and recognizes the important steps that the authorities in Chisinau have taken in recent years on the European path. “The declaration is also a reconfirmation of the multidimensional support that Romania offers to the Republic of Moldova for strengthening institutional resilience and at the level of society”.

“I know that the efforts you are making are very great, but the benefits of belonging to the European Union are commensurate, and citizens will feel these benefits in education, health care, infrastructure, connectivity and, of course, the economy”, said Klaus Iohannis.

He went on declare to that Romania’s commitment to supporting Moldova in any crisis, including in the field of energy, is firmer than ever. According to the Romanian president, in a complex regional context, the consolidation of independence on all levels is a prerequisite for the democratic affirmation of the Republic of Moldova.

“It is vital that your voice is very clearly heard here, in Chisinau, in Brussels, in all European capitals and internationally. Romania will be by your side, as the most reliable and active supporter of the European path, and I encourage all international partners to consistently and long-term support the Republic of Moldova and its citizens. Romania’s strategic commitment to the democratic development of the Republic of Moldova will remain unwavering, and in the long term, too”, concluded the president of Romania.

After the press conference, the two presidents went to the Classics Alley in Chisinau’s central park to lay flowers at the bust of the poet Mihai Eminescu in a tribute to the Romanian Language Day, celebrated today in both Moldova and Romania.