President at Ministerial Session of Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu said today at the opening of the 135th Ministerial Session of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers that the European Union’s enlargement process has historically been one of the key factors contributing to stability and peace on the continent, emphasizing that the same model must be applied today to the states on the path of European integration.

“Each wave of enlargement has brought more stability, peace, and security to the continent. This is a fact that we can clearly see if we look at Europe’s evolution over the past decades,” the head of state said.

Maia Sandu stressed that the European Union has never conditioned enlargement on achieving absolute perfection in candidate states, but instead has offered membership as a tool for democratic transformation.

“The European Union did not wait for candidate states to become perfect; it offered them membership, and this model worked. It worked for states that went through difficult transitions and for societies that needed support to consolidate their institutions,” the President noted.

In this context, the head of state stated that the same principles must be applied today in the case of Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and the Republic of Moldova, insisting that the enlargement process should not be seen as an act of generosity, but as a strategic choice for the security of the entire continent.

“The same principles must be applied today for Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and the Republic of Moldova – not as a favor, but as a strategic decision. We are talking about investments in Europe’s long-term stability and security,” Maia Sandu declared.

Referring to the Republic of Moldova, the President highlighted the major importance of the European path for the country’s future.

“For the Republic of Moldova, accession to the European Union is an existential project. It is about our ability to ensure stability, development, and safety in a complicated regional context,” she underlined.

At the same time, Maia Sandu said that the European integration of the Republic of Moldova is directly relevant to the European Union’s security. The President further emphasized that defending Europe means not only military capabilities and solid alliances, but also protecting the fundamental values of the European Union.

“Defending Europe means strong alliances and military capability, but at the same time it means protecting open societies, the rule of law, and the democratic values that define the European Union,” the head of state said.

In conclusion, the President reiterated that the Republic of Moldova is ready to contribute actively to strengthening the European project.

“The Republic of Moldova has learned from its own experience how real the threats to democracy and security are. That is why we are ready to contribute to strengthening the defense of European democracy. Together, we must protect not only borders, but also the values that define Europe,” Maia Sandu concluded.

The Republic of Moldova is hosting today the 135th Ministerial Session of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. More than 50 delegations from member states are expected at the event, including over 20 foreign ministers. The meeting is taking place at the Palace of the Republic in the center of the capital. It will reflect the priorities assumed by our country during its presidency and will cover topics such as continued support for Ukraine, with a focus on reconstruction, combating disinformation and foreign interference, strengthening security, and reinforcing democratic resilience.

At the same time, the ministers will discuss the Democratic Pact for Europe, the Council of Europe’s future external action strategy, migration, and the strengthening of international cooperation and multilateralism. The Republic of Moldova took over the Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on 14 November 2025. Our country will hold this mandate for a period of six months, until 15 May of the current year. This is the second time the state has held this responsibility, the first presidency being in 2003.

The Republic of Moldova became a member of the Council of Europe on 13 July 1995.