“The Prut will remain just a river, not a border separating two Romanian states,” Moldovan PM says at news conference with Romanian counterpart

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan says that Moldova’s accession to the European Union will bring the two Romanian states even closer together, and that the Prut will no longer represent a border separating them. The Moldovan PM today made statements to this effect in Chișinău, at a news conference held alongside Romania’s Prime Minister Luca Niculescu, who was on his first foreign visit since taking office.

Addressing his Romanian counterpart, Vasile Tofan told him that he was at home in Chisinau, emphasizing the closeness between the two countries.

“Dear Luca, you are at home in Chisinau. And I believe this is the most natural way to describe the relationship between our countries: a relationship in which we do not need too many formalities to understand one another and stand by each other,” the prime minister said.

Tofan thanked Romania for the support provided to Moldova, during difficult periods, including in managing energy crises, modernizing schools and kindergartens and developing infrastructure.

Referring to Moldova’s European path, the prime minister said that joining the EU would represent a success both for the country and for Romania and the entire region.

“Moldova’s accession to the European Union will be a success not only for our country, but also for Romania and the entire region. And I believe it will be a moment of special significance for our people: the Prut will remain just a river, not a border separating two Romanian states,” Vasile Tofan said.





During the meeting, the two officials discussed accelerating infrastructure projects, strengthening energy security, attracting Romanian investments and supporting Moldova’s European path.

“First of all, we want to be better connected. More bridges over the Prut, better roads and more and faster border-crossing points, so that people and goods can move more quickly and easily,” the prime minister said.

Priorities include accelerating the construction of the Ungheni bridge, including access roads and border infrastructure, as well as advancing the coordinated control project at the Cantemir–Falciu border crossing point.

Another important topic concerned energy security. Vasile Tofan mentioned the need to accelerate electricity interconnections, including the Balti–Suceava line, and said that, starting the next cold season, Moldova would also be able to rely on gas from the Neptun Deep field in the Black Sea.

The Moldovan prime minister also advocated increasing Romanian investments in the Moldova, particularly in industry, energy, technology and infrastructure. He noted that the country could become a platform for Romanian companies interested in participating in Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Referring to regional security, Vasile Tofan condemned the violations of the airspace of Moldova and Romania by Russian drones, as well as attacks on vessels in the Black Sea. According to the prime minister, more than 100 unauthorized overflights of Moldovan airspace have been recorded since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

“The security of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine is closely interconnected. And peace and stability in our region are a shared responsibility,” the Moldovan PM emphasized.

Vasile Tofan also said that Moldova must continue its reforms and demonstrate through results that it is ready to join the EU, emphasizing the importance of Romania’s political support for advancing the process at the European level.

Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu is making his first foreign visit since taking office to Moldova on October 27. During the visit, the Romanian official is scheduled to meet with President Maia Sandu and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, following talks with his Moldovan counterpart, Vasile Tofan. The agenda also includes a joint visit by the two prime ministers to the Chisinau Electrical Substation, part of the 400 kV Vulcanesti–Chisinau overhead power line project, which will strengthen the interconnection of Moldova’s electricity system with Romania’s one.