Moldovan, Ukrainian deputy PMs hold joint new conference

Moldova will continue to support Ukraine "with full determination" till a just peace is achieved. The primary goal of the two neighboring states is to join the European Union "as soon as possible." The EU is seen, both from Chisinau and from Kyiv, as a peace project, and the two countries could contribute to writing a new page in the EU's history. Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov and Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna today made statements to this effect.

"Today we spoke not just as neighbors, but as sisters united by pain and hope. Ukraine has been experiencing a tragedy for more than ten years, which breaks the hearts of the entire world. Every day, for the past three years, Ukrainian grandparents, parents and children have been waking up to the sound of alarms. The recent bloody attacks even during the Holy Easter on the cities of Kryvyi Rih, Sumy and Kyiv remind us once more of the terrible price our friends and neighbors pay for freedom.

Their suffering is also our suffering. Moldova feels every echo of this war and knows that just peace is not a mere word but an urgent, living need," Gherasimov declared. The deputy PM expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian people for the fact that today Moldova was safe.

‘’Your courage and determination to defend your country at any cost strengthen us and give us hope for a safer, more prosperous future. We are grateful for all your sacrifices and for your commitment to defend freedom and democracy on our continent, because Ukraine protects not only Moldova, but all of Europe," the Moldovan official noted.

Gherasimov assured that Moldova would continue to support Ukraine, with the EU being an "anchor" of peace for both states.

"We, Moldova, support and will continue to support Ukraine politically, diplomatically and humanitarianly with all determination, until a just and lasting peace is achieved. For us, a united Europe is and must stay an anchor of peace. It is the only safe path to a future where weapons are silent and the voice of freedom is heard loudly. This is a project born from the wish to never repeat the horrors of the past, a project that has transformed a history of wars and divisions into a continent united by the values of human dignity, freedom and solidarity," Gherasimov said.

For her part, Olha Stefanishyna appreciated the support provided by Moldova and said that she had discussed with Cristina Gherasimov the recent achievements in the process of EU accession.

"It is important that we are here together and that we understand that all the reforms and the commitment of the Ukrainian people to integrate into the EU are closely linked to military aggression and the reform agenda, which is part of the accession process. This motivates our country to move forward.

I am happy to have such important support on behalf of Moldova. We shared the progress, we in Ukraine are going through a very challenging phase of accession, and for us, this represents a goal to make our country stronger, especially in the face of daily attacks and we never forget the price paid by the Ukrainian people to become part of the democratic European world," said the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.

Stefanishyna emphasized that one of the goals of Ukraine's European integration was to contribute to strengthening Europe.

"One of the objectives of European integration is to ensure that we contribute to building a united Europe. To make Europe stronger with the help of Ukraine's resilience and resistance, to contribute to new European policies.

We are now at the forefront of the EU enlargement process and I am glad that we coordinate our efforts. Important decisions are going to be made, but our goal must stay unchanged that we will move forward together, despite the circumstances, and you can count on us. I hope we will meet again in Brussels," Stefanishyna said.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olga Stefanishyna is on visit to Chisinau, to discuss with Moldovan officials the European integration agenda.