Moldovan president in Bratislava says country chooses path to peace, freedom, prosperity in European family, not to abandon it

Moldova has chosen the path to peace, freedom and prosperity in the European family – and we will not abandon it. A Moldova anchored in the European Union means a safer eastern flank. Therefore, enlargement is not an act of charity, but a strategic one. President Maia Sandu today made statements to this effect at a joint news conference with President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini in Bratislava.

President Maia Sandu noted that Moldova and Slovakia were marking 33 years of diplomatic relations, a period characterized by a solid partnership, good cooperation and mutual respect.

“Today we are taking a few new steps. First, we are signing the Agreement on Social Protection – an important step for all Moldovan citizens who live and work in Slovakia and for Slovak citizens who live and work in Moldova. Our investment agencies and chambers of commerce are also signing cooperation agreements that lay the groundwork for trade and investment. Our exports to Slovakia grew by more than thirty percent last year. This development is encouraging – but the potential is much greater and today’s Business Forum is the right platform to fully tap it. Slovak companies have in our country a real development opportunity, supported by the Growth Plan for Moldova of almost two billion euros,” Maia Sandu stressed.

The official underlined that, 20 years ago, Slovakia had taken its well‑deserved place in the European Union – only 15 years after the Velvet Revolution ended communism.

“This means hard work, real reforms, the courage to change deeply rooted things. And you know the rewards: peace, stability, prosperity – citizens protected by common European values. This is exactly what Moldovans want. We want our children to grow up in freedom, in safety, in a country where everyone can realize their potential. We are not asking for favors – we are asking to be assessed on the basis of our own efforts. In three years, we diversified our gas supply – something that previous governments did not dare to do for three decades. The majority of our exports go to the EU. We are reforming the justice system, fighting corruption, aligning ourselves with EU standards in all areas of public life. These efforts speak for themselves. And they matter beyond Moldova’s borders. A Moldova anchored in the EU means a safer eastern flank. Therefore, enlargement is not an act of charity, but a strategic one. Every country that joins the European family makes the whole family stronger. Slovakia knows this. We are grateful for your support in our EU accession process and we continue to count on our partnership with you,” Maia Sandu said.

The head of state also referred to the war in Ukraine, which endangers the security, environment and public health of Moldova.

“Russia’s aggression does not stop at Ukraine’s borders. It also reaches Moldova. Through constant attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, Russia is increasingly endangering Moldova’s security, environment and public health. The bombing of a Ukrainian hydropower plant polluted the Dniester River, leaving 300,000 people without safe drinking water. Just three nights ago, another brutal attack knocked out our main power line – a line that can supply between 60 and 70 percent of Moldova’s electricity. In both cases, Slovakia did not stand by. When the Dniester River was polluted, Slovakia provided equipment to help us respond. And now, when our electricity supply is at risk, Slovakia’s grid operator is facilitating cross‑border power flows to help us keep the lights on. Europe is stronger when it is united around its values. Even though Moldova is a small country, it is a determined country. We have chosen our path – towards peace, freedom and prosperity in the European family – and we will not abandon it. We leave Bratislava with renewed confidence that we are not alone on this road,” Maia Sandu emphasized.

President Maia Sandu today is paying an official visit to Bratislava, at an  invitation by her Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini. The head of state will meet with President of the National Council, Richard Raši and will take part in a business forum organized on the occasion of the visit, during which opportunities to expand economic relations between Bratislava and Chisinau will be discussed. On the sidelines of the event, cooperation agreements are to be signed between the investment agencies and chambers of commerce of the two countries.

The diplomatic relations between Moldova and the Slovak Republic were established on 16 February 1993.