Moldovan parliament hosts Conference of Presidents of Europe's Region of Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie

Chisinau, 19 March /MOLDPRES/ - The parliament today hosted the Conference of the Presidents of the Europe’s Region of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF). About 40 representatives from about 20 European countries participated in the event. They brought together in Chisinau, in order to reiterate the support and openness for Moldova and to discuss the actions of cooperation in the Francophone area, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.   

In the beginning of the event, in her speech, Deputy Parliament Speaker Doina Gherman expressed gratitude for the support provided by APF during time. ‘’We see at the meeting about 40 participants from about 20 European countries. This means that we are not alone on this European way, which is quite important. We are now on a period with very big challenges; therefore, it is important that we are more vigilant and more united than ever. Our call is for you to be with us and help us bring Moldova where its place is, in the great European family,’’ Doina Gherman said.      

The deputy parliament speaker also said that the today’s event was one full of symbolism, in context that the International Day of La Francophonie, reaffirming Moldova’s strong commitment for the European aspirations. ‘’Moldova, as country active in the Francophone community, as well as in its capacity of country candidate, which got the positive decision on the opening of the negotiations on behalf of the European Council, now focuses its efforts to consolidate the institutional capacities for the creation of a rule of law state and observance of human rights. These are fundamental values by which we will be guided,’’ the MP said.      

Prime Minister Dorin Recean also came up with a greeting message to the participants in the event. He referred to the developments of the reforms in Moldova and their results for the citizens’ well-being. ‘’We cannot choose priorities and we must make efforts, in order to implement all reforms. We are lucky to have friends from the EU member and Non-member states which help us.’’    

For his part, the head of the APF’s Moldovan section, MP Marcela Adam unveiled a report on the present stage and the presence of the Francophonie in Moldova. ‘’Through Francophonie, Moldova becomes more open, the Francophonie is a means of the country’s Europeanization in Moldova. The mandate of confidence given to hold the APF Conference in Chisinau for the first time ever is honourable. We also highlight with gratitude the support and contribution of the APF Office for Moldova.’’    

During the meeting, the officials also exchanged opinions on such subjects as the hybrid war, the fight against the fake news, promotion of the democratic values, importance of education in the university institutions, based on European values, parliamentary diplomacy.