Moldovan president participates in Congress of European People's Party

Chisinau, 1 June /MOLDPRES/ - President Maia Sandu on 31 May – 1 June participated in the Congress of the European People’s Party (EPP) in Rotterdam, the presidential press service has reported.    

The head of state accepted an invitation by EPP President Donald Tusk to take part in this event, in order to continue the efforts of persuading the officials of the EU member states to support the speeding up of Moldova’s European integration process.

For this, President Maia Sandu discussed with heads of state and government, officials from more EU countries, as well as with party leaders from the EPP’s political family. ‘’Moldova can rely on the support of EPP, which will help us open the door to the European Union, as we are stronger together,’’ said Maia Sandu in her speech given at the plenary meeting of the Congress.   

During the bilateral meetings, President Maia Sandu discussed with:

Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer, Austrian Minister for the EU Karoline Edstadler, whom she thanked for the programmes on improvement of the quality of life in Moldova and asked them for support for the country’s European integration.

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, with whom she discussed the deepening of the Moldovan-Cypriot relations, the agenda of Moldova’s domestic reforms and the security situation in the region, in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Andrej Plenkovic, PM of Croatia, with whom she discussed the effects of the war in Ukraine on Moldova and the region, the support provided to refugees, the internal reforms and the country’s commitment to advance on the European integration way. The head of state stressed that, on this occasion, Moldova counted on the support of Croatia, the newest EU member state.

Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with whom she spoke about the experiences of the two countries in the management of refugees’ flows, the bilateral cooperation and Moldova’s advancement on the European integration path.    

PM of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš, whom she thanked for the constant backing provided by his country to Moldova in the democratic transformation process. The two leaders agreed on further deepening the good relations between the two countries.  

Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, with whom we have a quite good cooperation relation. At the meeting, the head of state reiterated that Romania was a reliable friend, which firmly supports Moldova’s European aspirations.   

Prime Minister of Slovakia Eduard Heger, with whom she discussed the two countries’ efforts to help the Ukrainian citizens hit by the war. Maia Sandu appreciated the Slovakian support for the Moldovan carriers and Bratislava’s backing for speeding up Moldova’s European integration.  

Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister of Belgium Vincent Van Peteghem, with whom she exchanged opinions on Moldova’s commitments of internal reformation and advancement in the European integration process, for the benefit of the people.  

Deputy PM, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra, with whom she talked about the process of rapprochement with EU and the leadership’s commitment to turn Moldova into a peaceful and democratic country, a hospitable house for the citizens and a stability pole in the region.  

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, whom she thanked for the European Parliament’s continuous support for Moldova, which is quite important for the state, and the backing of the country’s European integration.  

Iohannis Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, with whom she tackled the subject on the disbursement of macro-financial assistance, provided by EU for overcoming the consequences of the war and inflation, faced by Moldova.  

In Rotterdam, President Maia Sandu also had meetings with Leader of the Christian Democratic Union Party of Germany Friedrich Merz, President of the Democratic Rally Party of Cyprus Averof Neofytou, former EPP President, sincere backer of Moldova Joseph Daul. The head of state also discussed with leaders of political movements from the Eastern Partnership countries, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine, reconfirming the common commitment for democracy and observance of human rights in the concerned countries.           

„The European partners know the problems faced by the country and appreciate the efforts we make to overcome them. Moldova enjoys the support of the European states’ family. Having this support, we will continue advancing on our European path, despite the difficulties, as long as it is necessary, changing, at the same time, time, the Moldovans’ living for the better,’’ President Maia Sandu said at the end of the Congress of the European People’s Party in Rotterdam.  

Photo: Presidency