Moldova's firm objective - to join EU, deputy premier says in Brussels

Chisinau, February 21 /MOLDPRES/- Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration paid a working visit on February 20-21 to Brussels, the MAEIE press service has reported.

At the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, the official participated with the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU member states in the EU Foreign Affairs Council held in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium.

Popescu emphasized the firm commitment of the Republic of Moldova to join the EU and reiterated the condemnation of Russia's war against Ukraine.

He noted that Moldova became a candidate state for EU accession and managed to face the humanitarian, economic and energy crises with the support of external partners, demonstrating the contribution to regional security.

"In this last year we have shown that we can deal with extremely serious crisis situations. The Republic of Moldova will remain firmly on the path of joining the EU and will work alongside and with the support of our friends to preserve and strengthen its peace, democracy and the European path", said Popescu.

At the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Popescu urged the EU to impose sanctions against the fugitive oligarchs who stole the Republic of Moldova for years and are now trying to destabilize the government and sabotage the EU accession process.

The discussions in Brussels also focused on intensifying cooperation in security and defense, with the Republic of Moldova benefiting from assistance through the European Peace Facility, collaboration with the European Border Police and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex and the EU Satellite Center.

The officials also referred to the consolidation of the Republic of Moldova-EU hub for internal security and to the collaboration and deployment in the Republic of Moldova of the civilian mission with an advisory mandate within the Common Security and Defense Policy to increase our country's ability to respond current challenges.

Popescu also presented the progress achieved in implementing the recommendations of the European Commission and reviewed the preparations for the Summit of the European Political Community, which our country will host in June 2023.

On the sidelines of the working visit to Brussels, the Moldovan official discussed with Bogdan Aurescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania; Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Italian Council of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European External Affairs Service; Gert-Jan Koopman, director-general of the EU Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations and gave interviews to the Financial Times, New York Times and Deutsche Welle.

Photo: MAEIE