The new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, who is making his first official visit to Chisinau, said that until the Ukrainian armed forces resist the invaders and even push them back, the Republic of Moldova can be sure that it is safe. Ukraine also remains a reliable partner of the Republic of Moldova in the process of settling the Transnistrian conflict. “Our vision is that this regulation must be peaceful and lead to the reintegration of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders,” Andrii Sybiha said at a news conference held alongside Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports.
The Ukrainian official noted that the discussion with his Moldovan counterpart referred to the bilateral relations, the hybrid threats from the Russian Federation, as well as the common future of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Regional and bilateral cooperation in the energy sector in order to increase the production and transport of energy was also discussed.
“We also talked about bilateral cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure, which is related to the Danube ports and the Black Sea ports. Recently, in Bucharest, we discussed with our counterpart Luminița Odobescu (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania) and other officials. We agreed to organize a joint meeting of the Governments of both states in the near future. We already have very good experience gained at the trilateral ministerial level – Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania. That’s why I think the time has come to raise this trilateral level to the level of heads of government of the three states,” said Andrii Sybiha.
According to him, the prospects of the integration of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova into the European Union were one of the main topics discussed in Chisinau. “We managed to open negotiations under war conditions. That’s why we are trying to do everything quickly. We will cooperate with the Republic of Moldova on this path and we hope that we will manage, with the help of our partners, to open negotiations on several chapters. The EU represents wellbeing for the people. It is a possibility of development for the economies of states. It is a platform for cooperation,” noted the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
In another development, he said that Russia’s plans and intentions to destabilize the situation in the Republic of Moldova before the election and the referendum on European integration are visible. “We will not allow it to do this. Ukraine has been and will stand by the Republic of Moldova in countering Russia’s hybrid aggression. Right today we coordinated our actions to combat disinformation from Russia, which targets the two states, but also the entire region,” said Andrii Sybiha.
Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Ukraine is a friendly country that has been fighting bravely for two and a half years for its freedom and the freedom of all those here, in the Republic of Moldova, but also for the freedom of the whole of Europe. According to him, topics of common interest at bilateral, regional and at European levels were discussed today.
“In today’s consultations, we once again highlighted our solidarity and firm support for Ukraine, for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our friends in the context of the barbaric aggression of the Russian Federation. At the same time, in this difficult context, we reaffirmed the Republic of Moldova’s firm commitment to continue providing political, diplomatic and humanitarian support to our Ukrainian friends and neighbors. Our country strongly condemns Russia’s unprovoked, illegitimate armed aggression against Ukraine - aggression associated with multiple crises, war, losses of human lives, occupation of territories, massive destruction of infrastructure,” noted Deputy Prime Minister Popșoi.
According to him, today’s visit by his Ukrainian counterpart confirms that the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are reliable partners that build step by step the irreversible European future. “Our dialogue is constant, consistent, based on common values and is aimed at concrete objectives related to the development and progress of our countries, as well as the establishment of a climate of peace, prosperity and lasting cooperation in the region,” said the Moldovan official.
