The Republic of Moldova is a European state with a European history, language and identity. We have a clear mandate to bring the Republic of Moldova into the EU, while the support and political encouragement of the European Parliament for Moldova’s European perspective is a powerful message of support, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, stated in Brussels during debates in the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). In the event, the Moldovan official gave a speech and responded to MEPs’ questions, IPN reports.
Nicu Popescu said the Republic of Moldova has condemned the war in Ukraine since the first day of the armed conflict, making a call for peace and observance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the neighboring state. The Moldovan citizens and authorities made common cause and offered support to the over 360,000 refugees who entered Moldova. During the past two weeks, the Republic of Moldova has constantly hosted about 100,000 Ukrainians, half of them being minors.
The Deputy Premier approved of the prompt response and support offered by the European partners for managing the flow of refugees, including the willingness of some of the European states to relocate refugees on their territory. He welcomed the MEPs’ readiness to hasten the process of approving the provision of €150 million in macro-financial assistance toMoldova.
The official underlined that Moldova wants the dialogue with the EU to be extended because it chose the European model and reiterated that the country has to manage several crises concomitantly – the refugee crisis, the economic challenges, the difficult energy situation. He noted that maintaining socioeconomic stability is a strategic priority of the Moldovan Government.
There was also raised the Transnistrian issue and Nicu Popescu thanked the European partners for their constant position of support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.
“In the debates held in the European Parliament, it was clearly stated that the European Union will continue to support the Republic of Moldova on its irreversible path of European integration,” said Nicu Popescu, being quoted in a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
