By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on Monday that her country's EU membership ensures a "future of peace, freedom, and development."
“Only in the EU will we be protected. Only in the EU will we be safe. Membership in the EU is the guarantee of a future of peace, freedom, and development,” Sandu said during a joint press conference with visiting European Council President Antonio Costa.
Reminding that Moldova submitted its application for membership in the EU exactly three years ago, Sandu said Costa’s visit has special significance in this regard.
Sandu defined the EU as Moldova’s “anchor for development,” saying the 27-member bloc has been guiding her country toward a “just society and a modern economy” for over two decades.
“Even in the most difficult times—when the Kremlin was 'blackmailing' us with natural gas or destroying our fruits by the ton, when the oligarchs had captured the state—we did not deviate from this path,” she said.
“When some politicians tried to change the European path, the people of Moldova threw these politicians out of power through elections, through democratic and peaceful voting. And last year, in the referendum, we said it out loud: we want our European path to be irreversible. Despite all the interference, democracy won,” she went on to say.
She expressed the belief that Moldova’s security is now part of a common European effort rather than just a matter of internal policy.
“In a world marked by insecurity, hybrid threats, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns, Moldova is strengthening its capacity to resist with the support of the EU,” Sandu added.
Costa, for his part, expressed that the EU and Moldova will continue to stand for peace, as well as work together to “shape our shared future on our own terms.”
“Some seek to undermine Moldova’s path to progress, prosperity, and stability through energy blackmail, fake news, and hybrid attacks. But the people of Moldova have stood up and strengthened the country’s European path in the referendum just a few months ago,” Costa further said.
He added that the use of energy as a weapon is “unacceptable,” adding that the EU and its member states are ready to support Moldova in achieving full independence with regard to energy.
Moldova submitted its application for EU membership on March 3, 2022. The country officially gained candidate status later that year on June 22.