“We felt the solidarity of France through the development projects implemented in the localities of the Republic of Moldova, which help my compatriots to enjoy better living conditions. We feel this solidarity through the support offered to our schools and teachers,” President Maia Sandu sated in Paris in a news conference held jointly with her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, IPN reports.
President Sandu said it was a pleasure for her to be the first President of the Republic of Moldova to pay a visit to the Élysée Palace. “This visit is very important for us. It is a visit we hope will extend cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and France, for the benefit of our citizens. The Republic of Moldova is a European state not only geographically. We are European by culture, history, language and aspirations of democracy, equity and the rule of law. Two thirds of our foreign trade is with countries of the European Union,” stated the official, noting that France is among the top ten investors in Moldova.
During the official visit to Paris made on the invitation of the President of France, Maia Sandu had meetings with the President of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand and members of the France – Moldova Friendship Group, with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian.
“I thanked France for the support offered to the Republic of Moldova in time and voiced hope that this relationship will be developed. I also broached the necessity of advancing the negotiations on the signing of a number of intergovernmental agreements (conversion of driver’s licenses, social security, recognition of diplomas of study), which are first of all in the interests and for the benefit of the citizens,” stated President Sandu.
She also visited MEDEF, which is the largest employers’ organization in France, where she met with representatives of the French business community. “I told the French businesspeople about the strategic development priorities of the Republic of Moldova, about my view on the country’s future, about the improvement of the business environment by fighting corruption and reforming the justice sector and about the economic advantages of investing in our country. For their part, the representatives of the French businesses inquired about the digitization level in our country and the strategies existing in this field,” noted Maia Sandu.
