President of Portugal says expecting decision on starting negotiations on Moldova's accession to EU

Chisinau, 30 October /MOLDPRES/ - We reaffirm our support for Moldova’s integration into the European Union. We expect the decision on the starting of the negotiations on accession, which will prove that EU wants Moldova to be member state of the Union. President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made statements to this effect at a news conference held jointly with his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu in Chisinau today.    

The Portuguese official said that Moldova would have to fulfill the conditions put by EU and Portugal was prepared to provide the country with support to this end. ‘’We are ready to work with you; we have the experience necessary. The integration into EU has changed our lives and consolidated our democracy.  We feel that Moldova does its utmost to join EU and we want the country to become member of the Union. We want the way of accession to be as short as possible. I believe that the integration might take place till 2030. At the same time, we are set to deepen the bilateral political cooperation, the diplomatic one, the economic and scientific and technical cooperation. I come to Moldova in less than one month after President Maia Sandu’s visit, which proves our intention to deepen the bilateral cooperation,’’ Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said.   

For her part, President Maia Sandu said that the bilateral visits marked a new stage in the relations between the two countries. ‘’This year, more important agreements were signed. We want to see a larger number of Portuguese companies in Moldova, in order to contribute to the economic development of both states. At the same time, we referred to our country’s commitment to move on the European way. We appreciate a lot the support provided by Portugal in this respect. In early November this year, we expect the report of the European Commission and in next December, we hope that the decision will be taken on the starting of the negotiations on accession to EU. We worked a lot for this and we will continue to do our utmost to fulfill the commitments taken before the people and the European Union. Moldova is prepared to start the negotiations on integration into EU,’’ Maia Sandu said.       

President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is on an official visit to Moldova on 30-31 October, at an invitation by President Maia Sandu. Today, the Portuguese head of state will meet Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean and will lay flowers at the monument to Stephen the Great.     

On 31 October, the official will have discussions with students of the Law Faculty and the Faculty of International Relations, Political and Administrative Sciences of the Moldovan State University (USM). Also, President Maia Sandu and her Portuguese counterpart will participate in a forum organized by the Investments Agency, during which opportunities from Moldova will be presented to the Portuguese companies of the region. A ceremony on the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the investment agencies from the two countries will take place at the event.