President holds meetings with Hungary’s leaders in Budapest

The European path of the Republic of Moldova was discussed in Budapest by President Maia Sandu with President of Hungary András Baka and Prime Minister Péter Magyar. The officials welcomed the opening this year of four groups of negotiation chapters with the European Union and discussed the next steps for opening the remaining two.

The visit to Hungary represents a new step in strengthening the Republic of Moldova’s relations with the member states of the European Union, Maia Sandu said.


„We discussed how we can develop the ties between our countries for the benefit of citizens, as well as the European path of the Republic of Moldova. I am grateful to our Hungarian partners for their support. We also discussed security. The enlargement of the European Union brings greater stability to the whole of Europe. A democratic and free Moldova is a reliable partner and a factor of stability in the region,” Maia Sandu said.


 



According to the Presidency, the officials welcomed the opening this year of four groups of negotiation chapters and discussed the next steps for opening the remaining two. They also reaffirmed that the enlargement of the European Union is an investment in the security of the entire Union.



During the meetings, the head of state welcomed the presence of Hungarian companies in the Republic of Moldova and encouraged new investments. The discussions also focused on energy cooperation, the diversification of energy sources, regional interconnection, and the expansion of direct air links between Chișinău and Budapest.



Another topic discussed was regional security, including Ukraine’s resistance in the face of Russian aggression and the hybrid threats posed by the Russian Federation. The officials also discussed the repeated violations of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova by Russian drones and missiles.

The Republic of Moldova and Hungary signed a strategic partnership declaration in 2020, providing for Hungary’s support for the country’s European integration, regular political dialogue, and cooperation in the areas of the economy, energy, security, education, and culture.





This is President Maia Sandu’s first visit to Hungary. The head of state is in Budapest at the invitation of Prime Minister Péter Magyar to participate in events marking the 70th anniversary of the 1956 anti-communist Revolution.

On Friday, Maia Sandu participated, alongside several heads of state and government, in the solemn session of Hungary’s National Assembly and in the commemorative ceremony in Kossuth Square.

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu thanked Hungarian President András Baka for the warm welcome in Budapest, emphasizing the importance of commemorating 70 years since the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.


„It is an honor to stand alongside the Hungarian people in marking 70 years since the 1956 Revolution, when Hungarians rose up against Soviet tanks to defend their freedom. Moldova pays tribute to their courage,” Maia Sandu said.


President Maia Sandu’s visit to Budapest takes place at an important moment for the Republic of Moldova’s European path, as progress in the accession negotiations depends on the agreement of the European Union member states. Direct dialogue with Prime Minister Péter Magyar and the President of Hungary gives Chișinău an opportunity to strengthen Budapest’s political support for European integration and clarify its position on opening the final two groups of negotiation chapters.


At the same time, the meetings contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and developing cooperation in the economic, energy, and regional security fields. Against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the hybrid threats in the region, dialogue with Hungary is important both for promoting the interests of the Republic of Moldova within the EU and for identifying common solutions that contribute to regional security and stability.