Moldovan head of state says president of Portugal backs Moldova's European dream

Chisinau, 3 October /MOLDPRES/ - President Maia Sandu is on a visit to Portugal, at an invitation by her counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The two officials participated in an official ceremony and made joint press statements, the presidential press service has reported.   

„I thank President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for the warm reception and very good discussions in Lisbon today. This is the first official visit by a head of state of Moldova to Portugal and it marks a new stage in the bilateral relations,’’ President Maia Sandu said.   

The Moldovan president stressed that there was much potential of cooperation between the two countries and the sides were committed to explore it. ‘’Our economies are interconnected already. The wine industry, a pride of Moldova, would not be able to exist just as we know it without Portuguese corks. Twenty companies with Portuguese capital are already present in Moldova. In discussions with the private sector on 4 October, I will invite more investors to extend their business in Moldova,’’ the Moldovan head of state noted.   

The Moldovan president also said that the warm bilateral relation was also due to the community of Moldovans settled in Portugal: ‘’Our citizens are hard-working, well-integrated and contribute to the development of both countries. On their behalf, I thanked President Rebelo de Sousa for the opportunities Portugal had provided and which Moldova, at the same time, was not able to provide.’’    

The Moldovan head of state also said, at present, as we advance on the way of accession to the European Union, we draw our inspiration from the Portuguese, who had consolidated the democracy and developed the economy as EU member state. ‘’At the news conference, President Rebelo de Sousa said he backed the European dream of Moldova, for which I am grateful to him,’’ President Maia Sandu said.   

Photo: Presidency