French President in Chisinau: ''Moldova Matters to Us. The Country's Future is in Europe, You Already Belong to this Great Family"

Moldova matters to us. The country's future is in Europe, you already belong to this great family. The path you have embarked on, the path of reforms and modernization, must be continued. President of France Emmanuel Macron today made statements to this effect at a press conference held together with the Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk and the head of state Maia Sandu, in Chisinau.

The French official emphasized that he was very happy to be in the Republic of Moldova today, when the country is celebrating Independence Day.

“I am very happy to be here, alongside my two friends, who are also your European friends. We wish to send the citizens a message full of friendship, solidarity and confidence in the future. Moldova has come a long way, starting from August 27, 1991, and over these 34 years, the country has gone through trials but has also achieved considerable progress. Three years ago, Moldova entered a new stage in its history by applying for EU membership. Last year, citizens voted for this option to be enshrined in the Constitution, which represents proof of your determination to decide your own future - the future of Moldova, alongside European partners. France supports this choice, which is sovereign and in this demanding process, strong mobilization is needed,” Emmanuel Macron said.

The President of France said that the Republic of Moldova, together with the European Commission, had accomplished enormous preparation work for EU accession in recent months.

“This finding led to the validation by member states and the European Commission of the first installment of funding from the growth plan for Moldova - over 9 million euros, in the next two years. I see that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova understand very well that EU accession is a historic opportunity for the country’s future, an opportunity for prosperity and security. This will lead to the modernization of infrastructure and the economy and will bring new opportunities for young people and all economic actors who will access a large market of over 450 million consumers,” Emmanuel Macron said.

He reiterated that France would continue to provide determined support to the Republic of Moldova at all stages of the European journey.

“In France, Germany, and Poland, wherever in the EU, we will leverage all these efforts, the path traveled in recent years and we will make Moldova better known in the European Union. At a bilateral level, France will continue to support Moldova by providing the technical expertise it needs, financing priority projects to improve people’s lives, especially through the decisive actions of the French Development Agency, which has already invested over 200 million euros in such areas as energy, natural resources, infrastructure. France will continue to provide support in education and culture, including the launch in Moldova and Romania of the digital platform for the ARTE television channel and the broadcasting of RFI. I want to thank Moldova for the official recognition of the French Baccalaureate. I also mention the launch, starting in 2025, of a double reform in law between the Moldova State University and Sorbonne University. This excellence pathway will contribute to the formation of future generations of high-level lawyers, who will be able to operate in our countries and anywhere in Europe. We will also continue our activities for the conservation of Moldovan heritage through a joint project to restore two emblematic architectural buildings in the capital, the urban villa Kligman and the villa Herța. These projects will contribute to the valorization of cultural heritage and anchoring in Europe's history,” Emmanuel Macron stressed.

At the same time, the President of France added that the European Union was a project of peace, freedom and democracy.

“Just a few hundred kilometers from your capital, the war of aggression triggered by Russia against Ukraine looms. It is essential to remind you that European integration is for Moldova a clear choice in favor of peace and law. Unlike Russia, the EU does not threaten anyone; it respects sovereignty. Here everyone can choose to be free and sovereign, and this is respected. The EU is a union of prosperity and peace. The European Union is by no means the Soviet Union. We know the tragedies of the last century and the union that Moldova aspires to join is a community that shares democratic values and human dignity. We wish to convey today this message of solidarity and trust - trust in our common future in Europe. And for this reason, being alongside on this special day, we pay tribute to your courage and your confidence in Moldova's future in the European Union,” Emmanuel Macron pointed out.

President of France Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz and the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk are making an official visit to the Republic of Moldova today, at the invitation of the head of state, Maia Sandu.

The visit is taking place on the occasion of the Republic of Moldova's Independence Day. In the evening, after 20:00, the president of the country, together with the high-ranking guests took the stage on the Great National Assembly Square and addressed citizens.





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