Moldovan president, Romanian, Ukrainian presidents hold joint news conference

“In 35 years, we have learned that independence is stronger when it rests on solid ties. And this is why, we know what kind of country we want to be for our neighbors: a good neighbor, a reliable friend, a security partner. This is our goal – to be a state that offers safety to those at home and those around us – to Ukraine, Romania and the European Union, which we are preparing to join.” President Maia Sandu today made statements to this effect. She held a joint press conference in Chisinau together with President of Romania Nicusor Dan, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who are visiting the Republic of Moldova on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Independence.

The head of state welcomed the presence in Chisinau of the two high-ranking guests, stressing that their presence in our country on Independence Day has a special significance.

“The Republic of Moldova has two neighbors and we are fortunate that both are good friends, with whom we share the same attachment to the fundamental values of our civilization – peace, freedom and democracy,” the President said.

Maia Sandu noted that, 35 years ago, during this August week, the map of our region had been changing. Romania was barely 20 months after the Revolution. On August 24, Ukraine proclaimed its independence. Three days later, Moldovans, young and old, gathered on the Great National Assembly Square, demanded the independence of the Republic of Moldova, and Parliament voted for it the same day.

“We were three poor countries, on the edge of Europe, with ruined economies and an uncertain future. And today, three European states sit at the same table, respected in Europe and around the world. Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union. Ukraine, a country that, through courage and innovation, is today defending an entire continent from a brutal aggressor. And the Republic of Moldova, a country whose people have defended through their vote its belonging to the European family and which is now negotiating EU accession,” the Moldovan president said.

She emphasized that, in these 35 years, we had learned what independence truly means. According to the President, independence means being able to choose your friends, your allies, your path; to have light and heat in your home regardless of decisions made in Moscow; to sell your products where both you and your work are respected; to choose your own friends and your direction; to be treated as a partner, to have a voice and to decide by vote who governs the country.

The Moldovan president thanked Romania for the support given to the country.

“One thing is given from the very beginning – your neighbors. And the Republic of Moldova has been lucky. To the West we have a country that has stood by us since the proclamation of our independence. Romania has been with us at every turning point – in the difficult early years, during energy crises, in the moments when others watched us from a distance. It did so naturally, as a brother or sister would. Romania carried our cause in Europe when our voice was still weak. And when it joined the European Union in 2007, Moldovans saw with their own eyes that this path is achievable,” Maia Sandu said.

At the same time, President Maia Sandu highlighted the role that Ukraine plays in the security of the Republic of Moldova, noting that the resistance of the Ukrainian people contributes to safeguarding the entire region.

“To the East we have a country that is defending, with the lives of its people, peace on the entire continent. With Ukraine we share a 1,222-kilometer border. And Ukrainians are keeping the aggressor away from our homes. Moldova sleeps more peacefully thanks to the resistance of the Ukrainians. That is why, on Monday in Kyiv, I announced the awarding of the Order of the Republic to President Zelenskyy, the highest distinction of our state, for his exceptional contribution to defending peace and freedom on the European continent and as a sign of the Moldovan people’s gratitude for the courage of the Ukrainian people,” Maia Sandu underlined.

The head of state also condemned the cases in which the airspace of our country is overflown by Russian drones, noting that “Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine is felt beyond its borders.”

“The sky above us shows most clearly how important our cooperation is. Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine is felt beyond its borders. The airspace of the Republic of Moldova and of Romania has been violated dozens of times. Even today, on the eve of a holiday, Russian drones entered our airspace in a clear attempt to intimidate us. I say clearly and firmly, in the presence of our friends: we will not be intimidated. We are investing in air defense, so that we can protect our people and infrastructure, and we call on all the countries of the free world to help Ukraine strengthen its air defense, now, before this winter,” the president said.

The head of state stressed that the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine would continue to strengthen their efforts for peace, security and development.

“We continue to join our efforts. We want three countries strongly connected to each other. People who can travel from one country to another easily, as if at home. Borders that are well guarded, but crossed quickly, without queues. Roads and railways on which goods move without obstacles. Gas and electricity that flow in both directions, so that each of us has a source of energy in times of need. Rivers managed jointly, because the Prut and the Dniester are our common resources. The Danube ports – Giurgiulesti, Galati, Reni, Izmail – working in coordination, and a sky monitored together. This is the region we are building and the future we want, in the European Union, where both we and Ukraine wish to arrive. We work for this objective every day. Today we celebrate what we have achieved,” the Moldovan president also said.

At the end of her speech, Maia Sandu invited Nicusor Dan and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Great National Assembly Square for the concert dedicated to Independence Day.

“On the same Square, we gathered in 1989 to reclaim our language and in 1991 to win our independence. There our parents and grandparents gathered in the hardest days, so that the Republic of Moldova might exist and be free. Today we gather to celebrate what they accomplished and what we have built in 35 years. Happy Independence Day, Republic of Moldova!” Maia Sandu concluded.

The Republic of Moldova is marking today 35 years since the proclamation of its Independence.