Press statement following meeting of President of Moldova Maia Sandu with President of France Emmanuel Macron

Chisinau, 7 March /MOLDPRES/ - Dear Mr. President Macron, colleagues, dear media representatives, it is a pleasure for me to return to Paris.    

France and President Macron personally are among the closest supporters of Moldova. France has been firmly with us in the security issues, following the unprovoked invasion of Russia against our neighbour, Ukraine.    

France has been with us, by providing us with support in the last years of unrest, triggered by Russia’s actions. France is with us as we advance on our way of accession to the European Union. And for this, I express my deep gratitude to Mr. President Macron and the French nation.   

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The large-scale invasion by Russia of our neighbour, Ukraine, is at its third year. But Ukraine does not give up. Europe should not do this either. France and Germany laid the foundations of Europe which we know at present, a continent of peace, solidarity and prosperity. And just this Europe is today assaulted by the regime of Vladimir Putin. Europe is attacked in Odessa, Kherson, Kharkiv.   

At present, Ukraine is at the first line. The first line of fight for Europe, for all we love, for all we support as Europeans. Our common security is at stake in Ukraine.

If the aggressor is not stopped, he will continue and the front line will come nearer in continuation. Nearer to us. Nearer to you. Therefore, Europe must have a united front. The aggression must be rejected by a strong force. Yes, the freedom is not for free, but having to face an encouraged aggressor will cost us even more.   

We thank you, Mr. President Macron for staying strong for Ukraine and Moldova. We thank you for the vital effort to bring the European nations together, just as you did on 26 February, in order to support Ukraine and reestablish the sustainable peace on the continent. Ukraine needs help now. Nothing is more urgent but the backing of Ukraine for it to stop the aggressor.     

We, in Moldova, know that the expansionist goals of the Kremlin stretch beyond Ukraine. Russia’s aggressive actions of undermining the democracy in Moldova represent a proof in this respect.  

The Moscow regime tries to control the country through energy blackmail, sponsoring protests, carrying out of misinformation campaigns, launch of cyber attacks, interference with our elections, infiltration of dirty money and even the attempt of coup d’etat.  

Our meeting with President Macron takes place in the context of a renewed attempt of Russia and its representatives to put additional pressure on my country. But we stay straight.   

The Moldovans have right to decide their future for themselves and this future is in the European Union. I am grateful for this constant and firm support of President Macron during the Presidency of France at the European Council in the first half of the 2022 year and at the last December summit in Brussels, which approved the starting of the negotiations on accession.   

The solidarity of France is much more profound than this. President Macron initiated the European Political Community, which has become an important platform for the EU countries and from outside EU, in order to assemble and discuss crucial problems faced by our continent. He also had a key role in the creation of the Moldova Support Platform, along with Germany and Romania, which provided financial and humanitarian assistance to our country, while we were to cope with multiple crises, in the wake of Ukraine’s invasion by Russia.   

Today, the signing of the agreements on defence and economic cooperation with France conveys, also, a firm message that Moldova is ever stronger with France being with it.    

Our cooperation in the defence sector is boosted and the recent purchasing of highly advanced air radar is an example. Over 200 French companies are active in Moldova, providing mutual benefits to both economies. As we get closer to EU, we know that the involvement of the companies will be enhanced. The preparation for the accession to EU already consolidates our economy and consolidates our resistance.    

With the support of France and other partners which are with us, we know that we are not alone. Together, we will make sure that Moldova will be free, will be peaceful and will be in the European Union.