Members of the ALDE Party Bureau met with President Maia Sandu to express European liberals’ support for the pro-European government of Moldova in the face of increased efforts to destabilise the country and the war in Ukraine during a mission to Chișinău.  

The Republic of Moldova was granted EU candidate status in June 2022, and the delegation reaffirmed the liberals support for the country’s European aspirations. 

ALDE Party Vice-President Henrik Bach Mortensen, who led the delegation, said: “the EU must strongly support the aspirations of Moldova to join the family of free democracies in Europe as quickly as possible. We should demonstrate to the Moldovans that Europe means freedom and prosperity. First step: invite Moldova to join the EU-roaming arrangements.” 

ALDE Party Vice-President Dániel Berg added: “Moldovan security is European security. The EU must actively aid Moldovan efforts to counter hybrid threats, including through targeted sanctions against those working to destabilise the country, support for anti-disinformation and anti-propaganda efforts, and funding to connect Moldova to the European energy grid.” 

Iulian Bulai, leader of the ALDE Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), added: “President Maia Sandu does a great job in the Republic of Moldova. I reiterated the support of PACE to implement the needed reforms. The ALDE Group at PACE, and my party – USR Romania, are strong supporters of the EU path of the Republic of Moldova. The needed reforms will be irreversible if all the democratic international actors help immediately.” 

In addition to an audience with President Sandu, the delegation held meetings with representatives from the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova, and the leadership of political party Coaliția pentru Unitate si Bunăstare (CUB) that has applied for ALDE Party membership. They will also visit the Ukrainian Refugee Centre in Chișinău, established to help Ukrainian women and children who suffered from Russian aggression by providing shelter, food, hygiene products and clothing.

Watch the highlights in a video from President Sandu's Office here or below: