Lithuania reaffirms support for European path of Moldova

Chișinău’s determination and consistency strengthen the political will in European capitals for the enlargement of the European Union and represent a convincing argument in favor of increasing the EU’s financial support for the Republic of Moldova. Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Juozas Olekas made the statements today in Chisinau. The official noted the significant progress achieved by the Republic of Moldova on its path to European integration and confirmed the country’s support for this process.

Juozas Olekas delivered a speech today in the Parliament in Chișinău, alongside President of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia Lauri Hussar and Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa, who are on a visit to our country.

The official stated that he came to Chișinău together with the speakers of the parliaments of Estonia and Latvia to convey a strong message of support for the path of accession to the European Union chosen by the citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

“Your determination and consistency strengthen the political will in European capitals for the enlargement of the European Union. The continuous progress in reforms is a convincing argument in favor of increasing the EU’s financial support for the Republic of Moldova, including for the efforts of economic transformation and reintegration,” said Juozas Olekas.

The Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania noted that the achievements of the Republic of Moldova in recent years “are significant, despite ongoing threats to security and political pressure from Moscow, and despite the fact that part of the country’s territory, the Transnistrian region, is still held hostage by Russia and used as a tool of blackmail.”

“The progress made by Moldova helps us build a political consensus to resolve the case for the next enlargement. When the process has substance, formal decisions will come more easily and quickly,” the official said.

Juozas Olekas referred to the example of his own country, noting that Lithuania’s accession to the European Union brought significant changes, including in the economy and in terms of its place in world politics. When Lithuania began accession negotiations, GDP per capita was just over 3,000 euros, representing less than 20% of the average of the 15 EU Member States at that time. In 2025, GDP exceeded 28,000 euros, approaching 90% of the EU average, with the capital Vilnius already surpassing the European Union’s average level.

“We achieved our strategic goals only by being united and determined together: the country’s leadership, political parties, society. We want the same for Moldova: to be stronger politically and economically, more resilient, capable of protecting its people and its freedom,” underlined the Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Juozas Olekas stated that countries around the world are now facing unprecedented challenges as a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

“The courage of Ukrainians is like a shield for us as well. Lithuania will continue to advocate for Ukraine’s accession to the EU in the next wave. For us, this is not only a political objective, but a moral one. Moldova and Ukraine should be part of the European family. I would like to use this opportunity to address those who still have doubts or believe there are alternatives in the East: let us be honest, Russia has nothing to offer; there is no development, no cooperation, only the shadow of control and devastation from the ‘russkii mir’. We have no illusions about Russia’s real intentions; we see how Moscow increasingly resorts to hybrid attacks and how criminal groups are trying to destabilize state institutions and democratic processes. We feel these challenges in the Baltic states as well,” the official said.

The Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania stressed that today Moldova is not between East and West; Moldova has always been and remains part of Europe from a geographical, historical, cultural and values standpoint.

“Moldova is a country whose language has its roots in Latin and whose spirit has been shaped together with that of the nations of Europe. It is a land where European culture has been preserved for centuries, even when attempts were made to erase it and when a foreign language and fear were imposed. All of us who lived under Soviet occupation bear the scars of history. Today, Moldova is not between East and West; Moldova has always been and remains part of Europe from a geographical, historical, cultural and values standpoint,” emphasized Juozas Olekas.

The official added that Lithuania will always remember and be grateful for the fact that the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova was the first, on 31 May 1990, to recognize Lithuania’s independence.

“It was a courageous, unforgettable act that established a strong bond and solidarity between our nations and countries,” explained the Lithuanian Speaker.

The President of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia, Lauri Hussar, the Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, Daiga Mieriņa, and the Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Juozas Olekas are paying a visit to the Republic of Moldova on 2–4 February, at the invitation of the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu.

The officials took part in the opening sitting of the spring session of the Parliament in Chișinău and delivered speeches in which they expressed their support for our country’s European path.