During his meeting with President Maia Sandu, President Gitanas Nausėda said that the European spirit of the Moldovan people and their strong desire for democracy were clearly felt and visible.
“We will always remember your support to Lithuania’s independence in May 1990. Today, Lithuania can thank you back by supporting Moldova on the path to the European Union. There is no need for theoretical reflections on the benefits of the EU. Instead, let us set an example. And Lithuania is such an example demonstrating that by setting the course and following it consistently, the most important goals can be achieved,” the President said.
Gitanas Nausėda underlined that the EU Eastern Partnership was among Lithuania’s most important foreign policy priorities. Lithuania strongly supports Moldova’s coming closer to the European Union. According to the President, it is important for Moldova to make progress in delivering reforms and maintaining national unity on the path of European integration. Lithuania and other EU member states are ready to help Moldova to tackle structural issues in justice reform, fight corruption, ensure stability in banking and insurance, and improve the business environment.
The bilateral meeting of the Presidents and delegations focused on fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Lithuania supports the European Commission’s plan to create an EU vaccine sharing system covering Eastern Partnership countries. “Our government is actively searching for ways to assist Moldova in containing the pandemic and it is exploring possibilities to provide vaccines. We expect a positive solution in the coming weeks,” the President said. Last year, at the beginning of the pandemic, Lithuania sent protective equipment to medical professionals in Moldova.
The President emphasized that Moldova was a valued NATO partner. He urged Moldova to deepen co-operation with NATO and to use the Lithuanian Embassy, which also serves as NATO’s Contact Point Embassy, for strengthening Moldova’s security and public resilience to hybrid threats and disinformation.
On arrival to Chișinău, Gitanas Nausėda met with Lithuanian community, Lithuanian experts working in Moldova, and visited the exhibition “The war after the War. War after war. Armed anti-Soviet resistance in Lithuania, 1944–1953” at the Lithuanian Embassy. It displays documentary photographs, reflecting the post-war armed resistance of partisans.
Later, on Friday, the President will take part in a discussion with representatives of various Moldovan non-governmental organizations, including historians investigating the crimes of the Soviet regime, fighters against corruption and disinformation, and defenders of human rights and media freedom. According to the President, active non-governmental organizations and a dynamic civil society are extremely important for democratic processes in the country.
