"Moldova's place is in the European Union," Roberta Metsola stated.
President of the European Parliament said this while speaking at a plenary session of the Moldovan parliament on Friday. "We must have a common future, and the European Parliament will do everything necessary to support you on your way to becoming an EU member state," she said. President of the European Parliament said granting Moldova EU candidate status was a strong signal of hope and solidarity with those who share European values and want to live in peace, a unique opportunity to strengthen democracy and build a sustainable and modern state. The European high-ranking official said that Moldova is a European country in terms of history, geography, identity, culture and traditions, and the granting of the status of candidate country was a historic moment for Europe as well. Roberta Metsola expressed admiration for the Moldovan authorities' determination to continue Moldova's European path, giving assurances that the EU will continue to help Moldova. She also referred to key elements of Moldova's rapprochement with the EU, as well as the latest assistance provided to Moldova by the EU: a 150-million-euro macro-financial assistance, measures to liberalize the European market for Moldovan farming products, actions to boost trade, to support carriers and to consolidate the security. In her speech, she also pointed out efforts to reform the justice sector, fight corruption and organized crime, as well as electoral reforms. Roberta Metsola reiterated the European Parliament's solidarity with Moldova and its determination to grant all the necessary support and much more assistance to overcome the energy crisis, as well as other problems generated by the war in Ukraine. The President of the European Parliament congratulated Moldova on the progress made in promoting gender equality policies, with women holding the highest positions in the state, including President, Prime Minister, President of the Constitutional Court, Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and Interior Ministry. She also praised the efforts of the authorities and citizen participation in resolving the refugee crisis. President of the European Parliament also reaffirmed her firm support for Moldova's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. For his part, the chairman of the Moldovan Parliament, Igor Grosu, thanked the European Parliament President for her presence for the first time in our country's legislative body. "On behalf of all Moldovan citizens, we express gratitude for being with us, for supporting us, for understanding us in the most difficult times. Only together we will win, the civilized world and democracy will win, and the war will remain in history. Thank you for our European future," Igor Grosu said. // 11.11.2022 – InfoMarket
