“Courage now has a name and this name is Ukraine. The freedom of Ukraine is our freedom,” Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, stated in the Moldova-Romania-Ukraine trilateral meeting that involved the ministers of foreign affairs and energy of the three states. The event was held in the Ukrainian city of Odessa, IPN reports, with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nicu Popescu reaffirmed Moldova’s support for Ukraine and firmly condemned the Russian aggression, expressing support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. “By initiating this trilateral format, we took a joint step towards the European integration by concrete measures in the energy sector. We adopted a natural, responsible and European approach as we want to contribute to the most successful peace project – the European Union,” stated the official.
He noted that the countries can act swiftly and coordinate their efforts, including by synchronizing the electrical systems with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity ENTSO-E. “Evidently, these efforts are made in extremely difficult times for our states, for the whole continent, when rules-based international order is defied by the military aggression of the Russian Federation against the independent, sovereign and democratic Ukraine,” said Nicu Popescu.
The Deputy Premier thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Bogdan Aurescu for the unconditional support offered to Moldova and Ukraine in the European integration of the two states. “The interaction of our countries is normal and very important for energy solidarity, being an additional proof of the friendly relations and close political and economic ties,” stated the Moldovan official.
The informal trilateral meeting in Odessa was the first held in such a format.