Moldovan president meets PM of Greece

President Maia Sandu has welcomed Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Chisinau today, on his first official visit to Moldova. The visit occurs amidst a boosting of the political dialogue between the two countries, marking a new stage in the bilateral relations.

The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in tourism, investments and energy, including opportunities provided by Moldova's access to the international gas market through the infrastructure of Greece. At the same time, the sides pointed out the joint initiatives in renewable energy, IT, agriculture and the development of tourism infrastructure.

The Moldovan president highlighted the launch of the direct flight route Chisinau–Athens two years ago, accomplished with the direct support of Prime Minister Mitsotakis. Presently, more companies operate flights between Chisinau and Greek cities like Thessaloniki and Heraklion, contributing to strengthening ties between citizens.

An important element of the bilateral relationship is the community of Moldovans settled in Greece - a well-integrated and appreciated community, which benefits from the recognition of Moldovan driving licenses and social protection based on recently signed agreements between the two states.

Another essential area of cooperation is energy. Through Greece's gas infrastructure - the Alexandroupolis terminal and interconnections with Bulgaria - Moldova has access to diversified sources of natural gas. This is an important step for the country’s energy security.

President Sandu expressed Moldova's gratitude for Greece's clear support in the European Union accession process. "Greece firmly supports Moldova's accession to the European Union. We are grateful for the support provided and for the sincere friendship they have shown us over time," said the Moldovan head of state.

Moldovan-Greek relations have intensified in recent years, with the opening of embassies in Chisinau and Athens in 2023 and deepening the political and sectoral cooperation. During the today's visit, the restoration of the Mihalachi Cahica House in Chisinau was announced, which is set to become a Hellenic cultural center - a symbol of enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The visit by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the first official visit of a Greek PM to Moldova.