President: Our task - to maintain internal stability and join European Union in next 4 years

Today President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu delivered a speech in the plenary of the Parliament, at a moment of reflection on the direction in which the country is heading, against a global context marked by instability and threats.

In the message addressed to all citizens, the head of state emphasized that the absolute priority is maintaining peace and freedom: “The most important thing we must do is to keep peace and freedom. Life is the most precious gift, and freedom means the certainty that no one will be able to take away our right to live with dignity, in our own home.”

The President reiterated Moldova’s firm commitment to restoring peace in Ukraine and condemned any attempt to destabilize the country in the interest of the aggressor: “Ukraine will continue to be our shield, and we have a moral duty not to allow Moldova to be used against Ukraine, not to allow our country to be drawn into war.”

In her message, President Sandu emphasized that Moldova will be safe if it joins the European Union. “We must continue working day and night to join the EU as soon as possible. Not in 10-20 years, but in the next 4 years. It will not be easy, but it is not impossible. Until then, however, we can only protect our peace and freedom through external solidarity and internal unity,” the head of state said.

The President also warned about internal risks to democracy and sovereignty, referring in particular to the phenomenon of electoral corruption: “Those who sell their vote sell their country. Every silence is complicity in the theft of this country's future.”

Speaking about internal reforms and achieved results, the head of state highlighted investments in infrastructure, increasing the population’s income despite crises, and progress in reforming justice: “We have driven oligarchs from governance, changed the political class, increased pensions and incomes, liberated the country from energy blackmail, invested in villages and cities, and started cleansing justice.”

The head of state stated that although expectations from justice reform were higher, important steps have been taken towards independent justice. In the last four years, 140 judges have left the judiciary. 100 judges left in 2023-2024, a period during which the extraordinary external evaluation took place. The cleansing of the system continues and next is the Prosecutor’s Office, mentioned President Sandu.

In conclusion, the head of state called for unity and responsibility on the eve of the Easter holidays: “We live in troubled times in the world. But we have two treasures: the unity of the people and the support of those who wish us well. Moldova has real reasons for hope. I believe in Moldova. I know we will achieve what we desire - a protected, wealthy, clean, and joyful country.”

The full speech can be found here.