Moldova relies on support of France in getting status of country candidate for accession to EU

Chisinau, 15 June /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova relies on the support of France in getting the status of country candidate for accession to the European Union. President Maia Sandu today made statements to this effect at a news conference held jointly with President of France Emmanuel Macron, on a working visit to Moldova.  

President Maia Sandu said the getting of the status of country candidate would help Moldova strengthen the reforms underway. ‘’We know that this will be a long and complex process. We do not look for shortcuts. We are prepared to do our homework and we want to be assessed according to the merits. We welcome the initiative on the European Political Community, a member of which we want to be. This is not an alternative, but a complementary initiative, which will help us in the European integration process. We rely on the support of France also at the European Council, in getting the status of country candidate for accession to EU,’’ Maia Sandu said.    

The official stressed that the two countries would sign three important agreements, among which providing to Moldova a loan worth 15 million euros. ‘’We have a solid bilateral agenda in the economic, social and cultural fields. At the same time, we thank France for those 37 tons of  humanitarian assistance meant for the refugees and offering of 17 electric generators distributed to hospitals from Moldova,’’ Maia Sandu noted.     

For his part, President of France Emmanuel Macron said the strategic sectors in the bilateral relations had been established at the today’s visit. ‘’Moldova is a francophone country, deeply rooted in the European Union. My visit fits into a double context: the war in Ukraine and the situation of a neighbor country, which declares with determination its wish to integrate into Europe. You have every admiration of France for the solidarity proved by Moldova for the people who came from Ukraine. We must help the countries which suffer because of the war and Moldova is on the first line. We commit for the support to continue. You can rely on the support of France and the one of the European Union. France, in its capacity of country president of the EU’s Council, conveys you a positive message for the application submitted by Moldova for getting the status of country candidate for accession to EU,’’ the French official stressed.    

President of France Emmanuel Macron is on a working visit to Moldova. The agenda of the two heads of state also includes a visit to the French Alliance in Moldova. They will also have a discussion with representatives of the civil society from Moldova. This is the first visit by a French president in the last 24 years. The 30th anniversary of the initiation of the Moldovan-French relations is marked in 2022.