The Republic of Moldova is interested in cooperation in the energy sector with Greece that is currently an important regional hub in this regard. The Moldovan-Greek cooperation will cover both the liquefied petroleum gas and the transportation of this to Moldova and further, President Maia Sandu stated in a news conference held together with the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who is paying a visit to Chisinau, IPN reports.
Maia Sandu started the news conference with the offering of condolences in connection with the tragic train accident that happened in Greece last night, with a moment of silence being observed.
According to President Sandu, Katerina Sakellaropoulou’s visit to Moldova is the first made by a Greek President after a pause of almost 20 years. “Your visit comes in a difficult period for our region and for the whole continent. For a year, we have lived close to Russia’s brutal war against the neighboring state and friend Ukraine. The war affects the wellbeing and security of the Republic of Moldova. In such circumstances, your visit is a signal of support on the part of Greece,” said the Moldovan official.
President Sandu also said that despite the crises experienced by the Republic of Moldova, the state is ready to remain part of the free world. “The Moldovans want to live in their country in peace and freedom. Defending freedom and peace in Europe is now the international community’s priority. We must support Ukraine in this unjust war, to help it stop the Russian invasion and occupation. When peace is restored, Moldova will lend a hand, alongside the community of European states, to reconstruct and strengthen Free Europe,” stated Maia Sandu.
The President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou thanked for the support stated in connection with the train accident that claimed over 30 lives. She noted she has to interrupt her visit as all her thoughts go to those injured and killed in the train crash.
“My presence here underlines the significance Greece attaches to the strengthening of the bilateral relations in all the areas of mutual interest, based on historical and friendly relations. In our wish to extend the relations, we have as supporters the Greeks who live in Moldova and the Moldovans who turned Greece into their second home. They represent a precious bridge between our countries,” said Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
According to the Greek official, the visit takes place in an especially critical period during which the common values and principles built in Europe are challenged as the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Russia in Ukraine reopened old wounds and caused new ones. “The flagrant violation of international law and Russia’s revisionist policy find us united so that peace, democracy and freedom prevail,” noted the President of Greece.
In another development, Katerina Sakellaropoulou reiterated that Greece invests in the development of infrastructure and this will accentuate its role of energy pillar in the region, including through the uninterrupted supply of gas to Moldova. “We devoted attention also to the European perspective of the Republic of Moldova, which made a clear option and shows extraordinary and laudable resistance and abnegation on the European path that is to ensure its prosperity and the wellbeing of its people. Greece has always been for Moldova’s accession to the EU and supported without reservations the granting of the EU candidate status to it. I want to assure you of Greece’s readiness to help Moldova on its European path and in building a democratic, prosperous and safe future for the people of Moldova,” stated the Greek official.