President Maia Sandu: "Moldova can count on EPP support, which will help us open the door to the European Union”

The President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu attended the European People's Party Congress in Rotterdam on 31 May - 1 June. The Head of State accepted the invitation of EPP President Donald Tusk to take part in this forum in order to continue the efforts of convincing the officials from EU Member States to support the acceleration of Moldova's European integration process.

President Maia Sandu held talks with heads of state and government, dignitaries from several EU countries and party leaders of the EPP political family. "Moldova can count on the support of the EPP, which will help us open the door to the European Union, because together we are stronger," Maia Sandu said in her speech at the plenary session of the Congress.

During the bilateral meetings President Maia Sandu discussed with:

• Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Austrian Minister for Europe Karoline Edstadler and thanked them for the programmes implemented to improve the quality of life in Moldova and asked for their support for our European path.
• The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades the deepening of Moldovan-Cypriot relations, our country's agenda of domestic reforms and the security situation in the region in the context of the war in Ukraine.
• Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of Croatia, about the effects of the war in Ukraine on Moldova and the region, support for refugees, domestic reforms and our commitment to advance towards European integration. The head of state stressed that Moldova is counting on this path on the support of Croatia, the latest state to become EU member.
• The Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis about the experiences of our countries in managing the refugees’ flows, bilateral cooperation and progress towards European integration of the Republic of Moldova.
• The Prime Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš and thanked him for the constant support offered by his country to the Republic of Moldova for the process of democratic transformation. The two leaders agreed to further deepen the good relations between our countries.
• Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă, with whom we have a very good cooperation. The head of state reiterated during the meeting that Romania is a reliable friend who strongly supports our country's European aspirations.
• Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger about our countries' efforts to help Ukrainian citizens affected by the war. President Maia Sandu thanked for Bratislava’s support for Moldovan carriers and acceleration of Moldova's European path.
• Vincent Van Peteghem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Belgium and exchanged views on the Republic of Moldova's commitments to implement reforms and advance the European integration process for the benefit of people.
• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra about the process of rapprochement to the EU and our commitment to make the Republic of Moldova a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country, a welcoming home for its citizens and a pole of stability in the region.
• President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and thanked for the constant support of the EU legislature for the Republic of Moldova and our European path, which is very important for us.
• European Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn about the disbursement of the EU macro-financial assistance provided to overcome the consequences of war and inflation that the Republic of Moldova is coping with.

In Rotterdam, President Maia Sandu also met with Friedrich Merz, President of the Christian Democratic Union Party of Germany, with Averof Neofytou, President of the Democratic Movement Party of Cyprus, and Joseph Daul, former EPP President, a sincere advocate of the Republic of Moldova. The Head of State also spoke with leaders of political movements from the Eastern Partnership states, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine, reconfirming our shared commitment to democracy and respect for human rights in our countries.

"The European partners are aware of the great difficulties our country is facing and appreciate the efforts we are making to overcome them. The Republic of Moldova has the support of the family of European states. Due to this and despite all the difficulties, we will continue to advance on our European path, for as long as it is necessary, while changing the lives of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova for the better," President Maia Sandu said at the end of the European People's Party Congress in Rotterdam.