Romania will continue to help Moldova to overcome the socio-economic and energy difficulties caused by the war in Ukraine.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said this after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Bucharest, noting the importance of Moldova's firm commitment to a pro-European, democratic and reformist path. While answering the journalists' question about whether there is a risk that Moldova's leadership or its pro-European path will suffer because of the current difficult situation in the country, Claus Iohannis said that Moldova is of special concern for the Romanian authorities and for him personally. "And not only since this year, when the authorities started facing great difficulties; we help them because Romania is a democratic state and Moldova is very strongly committed to the pro-European path. Moldova has a pro-European and pro-reform President and a parliamentary majority. We are glad for this pro-European and reformist path and we support it. We do a little more than encourage them; we actually help them, competently, with very concrete things - electricity, fuel, firewood, gas. But we understand very well that things are very difficult for ordinary people in Moldova, and so we discuss with all our allies, partners and friends to find ways to help Moldova together," Klaus Johannis said. He said that he personally does not see any indication that a change in Moldova's approach is foreseen. "On the contrary, I think people have understood very well that this is a very difficult period, both for them and for us. But that doesn't mean that the reforms will stop. For us in Romania, the challenge is great, because in addition to reforms and timely support, which we very much want to provide, there is a need for a much improved infrastructure of interconnection, bridges, networks, etc., and we are ready to do all this together. Of course, it is very important that Moldova should stay firmly committed to the pro-European and democratic path and to the reforms, but, on the other hand, it is also clear that ordinary citizens, local authorities also need additional support that we are willing to grant," Romanian President said. // 29.11.2022 – InfoMarket
