Moldovan PM, after meeting with Romanian counterpart, says leadership willing to turn closeness between two countries into more investments, opportunities for people

The development of economic relations, the expansion of joint infrastructure and energy projects, as well as Romania’s support for the European path of Moldova have been the main topics discussed by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan and his Romanian counterpart Ilie Bolojan, during their meeting in Bucharest.

The Moldovan PM stressed that Romania is the main strategic partner of Moldova, and that his first visit as prime minister to Bucharest shows the importance of the relationship between the two states.

“We have a common history, we have a common language and a natural, deep closeness, built and strengthened over time. I want to emphasize the very concrete side of this relationship: what we have already built together and, above all, what we can build from now on. We want to turn the extraordinary closeness between our countries into more investments, more projects and more opportunities for people,” said Prime Minister Vasile Tofan.

The officials reviewed the status of connectivity projects between Moldova and Romania, including the construction of the Ungheni–Ungheni road bridge. The new bridge is an investment of about 35 million euros and will directly connect Moldova with the future A8 highway and the European network.

In the energy field, work on the Vulcanesti–Chisinau power line was completed at the beginning of this month, with the objective of commissioning it by the end of August. In addition, on June 26. the contract was signed for the construction of the 400 kV Balti–Suceava line.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan also highlighted the potential for expanding Moldovan–Romanian economic cooperation, emphasizing the need to attract a larger number of Romanian investments and to develop joint projects in the industrial, technological and energy sectors: “I want the Romanian business community to see Moldova not only as a neighboring market of 2 million people, but as an economy preparing to become part of the European single market.”

Alongside medium-term objectives, the officials also discussed immediate challenges in the energy and hydrological sectors, in the context of the state of alert declared in Chisinau, the decline in diesel stocks, logistical difficulties caused in part by the low level of the Danube, and the reduction of water resources in the Dniester basin. In the context, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan thanked Romania for its readiness to maintain the flows of oil products to Moldova and to facilitate the continuity of deliveries, stressing that this support demonstrates the ability of the two states to respond quickly and in a coordinated manner in difficult situations.

The two prime ministers also addressed the security situation in the context of the Russian Federation’s war; the officials reiterated their support for Ukraine and underlined the importance of a lasting peace for the stability of the entire region.

Another important topic of the discussion was the European path of Moldova. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan reaffirmed that the integration into the European Union is the government’s strategic direction and that Romania stays the main supporter of the country in this process: “Romania has experience that we not only admire, but use every day. We continue to count on Romania’s political support in the process of accession to the European Union, and for this constant support we are deeply grateful.”

For his part, Romania’s Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan reaffirmed that Romania’s support for Moldova remains firm and consistent. He stressed that all joint projects aim to improve citizens’ lives and to bring Moldova closer to the European Union, reiterating that Romania would continue to be the country’s main supporter in the process of European integration.