Moldovan president in Riga says Latvia knows what it means to regain your freedom, that is why its voice matters

President Maia Sandu today paid an official visit to Riga, at an invitation of her Latvian counterpart, Edgars Rinkēvičs. At Riga Castle, the two leaders discussed strengthening the bilateral partnership, Latvia’s support for Moldova’s accession to the European Union and the importance of continuing to support Ukraine. The head of state also met Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, as well as the leadership of the legislature and members of the committees on Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Defence.

President Rinkēvičs reaffirmed that Moldova’s European integration was a priority for the security of the entire region. “We strongly believe that Moldova must become part of the European Union as soon as possible. We have always supported the rapid accession of Moldova; we believe that the negotiations must be opened immediately and we will remain unwavering in our support,” the Latvian head of state said.

At the joint press conference, President Sandu underlined the importance of the  country’s accession for European security: “Europe will be stronger and safer with Moldova inside. A stable, European Moldova cannot be destabilized and cannot be used as a pressure point against the continent.”

During the visit, the Moldovan head of state delivered a speech in the Saeima, the Parliament of Latvia, where she spoke about the shared history of the two states: “Two countries, two languages that do not share common roots, but that have shared the same stubborn will: the refusal to be suppressed. Moldova is here today thanks to this stubbornness – the refusal to accept that our place is anywhere other than where we have always belonged: in the European family.”

Also, in the plenum of the Latvian legislature, President Sandu referred to the current challenges to democracy and to the importance of the European Union as an anchor for the peace, freedom and security of our country. The head of state stressed, however, that Moldova’s accession to the European Union was not just a national objective, but a decision with an impact on the entire region: “Moldova’s place is in the European Union. It is not an act of generosity, but an act of strategic coherence. Supporting our accession and defending your own democracy are, in essence, the same act of resistance.”

In Riga, President Sandu reiterated that Moldova was ready to be part of the coalition of will that will guarantee Ukraine’s security after the end of the war. “Latvia’s support has been extraordinary – among the most generous contributions in the world relative to the size of its economy, and unwavering from day one. We feel the same obligation,” the Moldovan head of state said.