Moldovan president's message at joint conference with European Parliament President

Dear President Metsola,Dear Roberta,

I am happy to say once again: welcome back to Chisinau!

Your last visit took place on a memorable day for us — at the National Assembly, European Moldova.

Tens of thousands of people came to the square at that time, in order to say that they wish for Moldova to become part of the European family. And you confirmed to us at that time that Moldova was Europe and Europe was Moldova.

Since then, the Moldovans have chosen Europe again and again: at the presidential elections; at the referendum anchoring the European path in the Constitutionand, in September, at the parliamentary elections. This new parliament, which has a clear pro-European mandate, now has the responsibility to complete the process of preparing the country for accession to the European Union.

Your message today in the Moldovan parliament was very clear:The European Parliament will do everything possible to make Moldova part of the European family. Thank you for the support. I thank the European Parliament and all the MEPs who have constantly supported Moldova in these difficult years.

Thank you for the political support, for the resolutions supporting our democracy and the EU accession process.

Thank you for the financial support: for the accelerated approval of the Growth Plan for Moldova, which means economic development, better infrastructure, hospitals and schools. It means more security for the people.

Dear Roberta,

Today, Moldova is modernizing. We are strengthening our institutions. We are building roads, bridges and power lines that connect us to the European Union and make us stronger. We are integrating our economy into the European market. And we are preparing the country for accession.

The enlargement report published this week confirms that Moldova has made the greatest progress among all candidate countries. It's true — we started later than other states, but we are now catching up quickly.

We work seriously, align with European legislation, and move step by step closer to community standards. And European institutions see and appreciate the pace at which we are working.

We still have a lot of work to do, but we also have a lot of support. The opening of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Chisinau will help adjust national legislation to the European legislation.

There are about 3,000 European acts to be transposed through over 1,000 national acts. This is a huge effort and the support of the European Parliament will make this process clearer, more efficient and well-coordinated. We are grateful for this consistent partnership.

We will continue working with ambition and seriousness — and we are confident  that the pace will stay determined on behalf of both sides.

We continue to count on your support and the one of the European Parliament in this considerable effort for us, but vital for the freedom and welfare of Moldovans.

Thank you.