President Maia Sandu had a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. “As Moldova is strengthening its democracy, we appreciate the long-lasting strategic partnership and the close relations with the United States,” said President Sandu.

According to the presidential press service, the Moldovan official ended her working visit to New York. From the rostrum of the UN, Maia Sandu called on all the countries of the free world to support Ukraine which continues to resist Russia’s brutal invasion and the Republic of Moldova which is a country on the frontline of the fight for democracy.

“I call on the European Commission and all EU members to support us. I also extend this call, beyond the EU borders, to all the countries of the free world […] Today, the fight for democracy anywhere is a fight for democracy everywhere,” said President Sandu.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the Moldovan official met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres with whom she discussed the progress made by Moldova, the current challenges, regional security and the impact of the war in the neighboring countries. She also had a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden and a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of European countries to promote the European course of the Republic of Moldova and to strengthen the bilateral relations.

While in New York, President Sandu took part in the “Democracy Delivers” conference organized by USAID and the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, where she spoke about the reforms done by the country to strengthen democracy and to get ready for accession to the EU. On the sidelines of the conference, the Moldovan official had discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID administrator Samantha Power.

President Sandu called on the Ford, Rockefeller and Open Society Foundations to stand by Moldova on this ambition path to transformation. In a meeting with the vice-president for government affairs and public policy at Google, Karan Bhatia announced that Google will support Moldova in its efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and to promote digital literacy. The company will provide US$1 million for the last initiative.