The experience of Lithuania in the profound democratic and economic transformation remains a pertinent example of good practice for the Republic of Moldova. Moldova wants to continue cooperating with Lithuania in security and defense, especially for ensuring protection against risks, and in disinformation fighting where Lithuania’s experience can be very useful, President Maia Sandu stated in a press briefing held jointly with her Lithuanian counterpart Gitanas Nauseda, who is paying an official visit to Chisinau during May 13-14, IPN reports.
“One of the lessons that I hope will be learned by the whole political class in Moldova is that the foreign partners are ready to offer assistance, but the biggest effort should come from here, the country. The biggest effort should be made here. The reforms cannot be mimicked or replaced with nice statements. We have a lot to do at home. We realize this well and are ready to do it,” stated President Sandu.
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As to the dialogue with her Lithuanian counterpart, Maia Sandu said Moldova can bank on the Lithuanian authorities’ assistance in organizing the July 11 elections for Moldovans in Lithuania, by obeying all the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic. She thanked Lithuania for the constant assistance offered to the Republic of Moldova during the independence years, for the encouragement and inspiring of the democratic transformation, despite the internal and external challenges.
For his part, the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda said that Lithuania in 1990 declared its independence and namely Moldova was the first country that recognized it, even if it formed part of the Soviet Union then. Lithuania will never forget this. Lithuania covered a long and important road. In 2004, it joined the EU, being now a fully-fledged member. “We support Moldova’s course to Europe as it is a path that the Lithuanian citizens also covered and it was a successful path,” stated the official.
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According to Gitanas Nauseda, the advantages enjoyed by Lithuania as an EU member refer to the observance of the human rights, equity and the possibility of moving freely from one country to another. Lithuania’s economy is now similar to that of the developed countries. “We are following closely countries that we believed we will not catch up with and will never surpass. Now these things are a reality. The quality of life in our country is a poof that the status of member of the EU offers many possibilities. Lithuania stands ready to share the gained experiences with its friends from Moldova. It already does it in the banking sector, in the nature protection sector, in the food sector and other areas of activity,” said the President of Lithuania.
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He also said that Lithuania has one of the best systems for combating hybrid threats. It managed to avoid eventual incidents and is ready to share this experience, in particular in connection with the parliamentary elections of July 11.
As to the economic cooperation between the two countries, Gitanas Nauseda said the trade figures are not the highest, but there are possibilities of developing the commercial relations. There are Lithuanian investors in Moldova and Moldovan investors should also find the way to Lithuania, which is open to this.
The two heads of state also said that the Republic of Moldova and Lithuania are ready to sign the agreement on the conversion and mutual recognition of driver’s licenses of the citizens of the two states. This agreement was negotiated and agreed at Government level.
