Roberta METSOLA, EP President, is in Chișinău, Moldova, following the call Maia SANDU, President of the Republic of Moldova, for Molodvans to gather in the capital city in support of the country's EU future. EP President gives an address at the "European Moldova Assembly".

statement

EU - Moldova (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

Moldova

SANDU, Maia (MD)

president's agenda

Moldova's application for EU membership (T)

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, at the European Moldova Assembly in Chișinău (Moldova)

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President I am so proud to be with you today before this massive, massive crowd of people who believe in a European future for Moldova. I came here today to stand with you and with Maia Sandu to bring one message. To bring one message to you. Europa es Moldova. Moldova es Europa.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President We are here to confirm your European choice. Support your choice. The European to rejoin the European Union as a member State, to underline that your rights deserve the same protection that the EU membership offers to all other citizens of our Union. For young people in Moldova to have the same access to opportunities that my children have. For young women like Virginie, who I left last night and Kitchen now, who wants the same chances to reach her potential as everyone else in Europe. Europe is your family and it is your right to choose the destiny of your country.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President You choose Europe. And Europe will welcome you with open Arms and open hearts. There are no big and no small powers in Europe. We believe in opportunity for all, in equality and in freedom. This is about the both of us. You will bring a piece of Moldova to Europe and you will make Europe stronger. We believe in the same values. We share the same outlook. And our future is one that will be shared together. Together, we can face anything. Because Moldova. Thank you. Because Moldova is part of our European family and this family will always be with you. Moldova is not alone. Moldovan lawyers stressing that all. I am honoured to stand here with Maia Sandu.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President Maia is the woman who personifies what it means to be European, a leader who inspires a president who has the courage to change the course of history in Moldova and who will change the face of Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President Maia. Madam President. I want to be standing. I want to be standing right next to you when your great country officially opens accession negotiations. Hopefully even this year. Dear friends. Dear friends, dear friends. We are living in times of instability. Yet you can be proud of the fact that those who sought to destabilise your country have been unsuccessful. Moldova stands proud, despite the threats and the intimidation. The world saw your courage as you defied Russian threats. As you choose democracy over autocracy. Freedom over fear. As you held steady. Freedom.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President Freedom. The white. The world. The world witnessed your extraordinary generosity with the people of Ukraine. You open up your homes and your hearts to thousands of children, women and men seeking refugees and supported hundreds of thousands transiting through your country. It was also your country and your people who sent truckloads of humanitarian aid to Ukraine that operationalised solidarity lanes for grain and fuel transit to feed the hungry people and heat chilling homes. And you did this because you believe in our common values and in the principle of European solidarity and solidarity.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President Because you understand that having someone to turn to, to rely on, to trust in is what being European is all about. Those are the values that we share and we defend. And this is why in these difficult times, the European Parliament has continuously expressed its support towards that independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. We have condemned all attempt at destabilisation, including the political weaponization of energy, disinformation campaigns, repeated violations of air space and the brutal threat of force against your country.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President Since October 2021, the European Union has provided more than €1 billion. That is around 20 billion. Moldovan low in financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova to strengthen its resilience to sustain you who found themselves in economic difficulty. To support reform efforts in view of prospective European Union membership. And I give you my commitment here. We will support you on this journey for as long and for as much as it is needed. Moldova. The world knows your people as peaceful, democratic and free.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President Free to express your hopes, your wishes, your expectations. Free to determine your country's fate. You have chosen Europe, and now you have a right and a responsibility to see this through. Over the past year, you have undertaken decisive steps to reform. Even in these challenging times of an illegal war on your borders. Your Commitment. President Maia Sandu commitment to Moldova's European course has never veered off track. In the European Parliament, we recognise the great efforts your country has made to implement the European Commission's nine steps for reform and to align itself with the EU. Actually, Moldova is already ready for deeper integration in the EU single market.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President You are ready to integrate for strengthened cooperation in digitalisation and telecommunications. And throughout this process, let me assure you that you will always find a true friend and ally in the European Parliament. Some of my colleagues are over here today. We are proud.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President We are proud to be your greatest supporter for EU accession because we understand and believe in the transformative power that EU enlargement brings and we know what it means to you. And you proved it by being here today. And so as you are gathered here today on this momentous day to send a pro-European message to the international community, I leave you with my with the European Parliament's response. Keep going. Holds steady. Moldova is not alone. Moldova and we are still single. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President We will not let you down. Thank you.