The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola welcomed the President of Moldova Maia Sandu to the European Parliament. Addressing the House of Democracy, President Metsola said that Parliament stands with Moldova and its people on the country's European path.
Dear colleagues,
Thank you for that very warm welcome to President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, who is with us today, once again.
Dear Maia, you have long been a valued friend to this Parliament and it is an honour to welcome you back to Europe’s House of Democracy. We are all deeply impressed by your determination, your courage and your steadfast commitment to the Moldovan people. Your tireless work steering Moldova along the path of democracy and integration with our Union is an inspiration to us all and a testament to your leadership.
As Moldova takes its next steps on its European journey, know, dear Maia, that this Parliament stands firmly with you and all Moldovans in upholding our shared European values of democracy, peace and rule of law. We are ramping up investment in Moldova’s future via the EU Moldova Facility. And we look forward to opening Moldova’s accession negotiations.
These are challenging times for Europe. Freedoms that we thought were permanent are being tested, disinformation is weakening public trust in democracy, and Russia’s brutal war continues in Ukraine. But Europe is resilient, and I know that together we will emerge stronger and more united than before.
Just weeks ago, European leaders gathered in Chișinău in just such a display of unity, reaffirming Europe’s unwavering support for Moldova’s European future. And today in this Hemicycle, this House stands with you once again, dear President Sandu, Maia, united in our support for the Republic of Moldova and its democratic path to Union membership.
President, the floor is yours.
You can read the President's speech in Romanian here.