The future of Moldova is European, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Saturday, following a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu in Chisinau, the the first ever official visit by a Cypriot President to the country.
Sandu said Moldova admires Cyprus’ path, expressing the position that her country deserves the same chance for stability, prosperity and peace and that the EU accession is the most important project for her country which proceeds to numerous reforms towards that end.
President Christodoulides paid an official visit to Moldova on Saturday, where he met with his Mold?van counterpart Maia Sandu at the Presidential Palace.
Following the official welcoming ceremony, the two Presidents held a meeting, followed by remarks to the media.
In his remarks, according to an announcement by the Presidency, President Christodoulides said, noted that this was his first visit to the country, and one made during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
He called President Sandu ‘a true European’, noting that she represents the resilience and strength of the Moldovan people.
‘And today, on May 9, as we celebrate the creation of the European Union – the greatest political project that continues to grow, integrate, inspire – we also celebrate the courage, strength, and perseverance of the Moldovan people’, he said, adding that the heart of the European vision, as captured by the great European founders ‘is alive and thriving here in Moldova’.
It is no coincidence, he said, that this first official bilateral visit to the country by a Cypriot President takes place on Europe day. He also said that it was no coincidence for two main reasons.
‘The first is that Cyprus has placed Enlargement at the core of the Cyprus Presidency. Our guiding vision is for an ‘Autonomous Union, Open to the World’; and an integral part of European strategic autonomy and openness is enlargement’, he said.
He said Cyprus’ journey to its 2004 accession ‘was the most significant national project in our modern history’. ‘It transformed and modernised the country, improved quality of life for Cypriots, and firmly anchored us in the European family. It brought prosperity, opportunity, growth. A secure space’, he said, adding that this was the future that awaits Moldova. ‘This is the future we are working together to make a reality. And I am confident we will. We have acted decisively on this share goal’, he said.
He noted that Moldova has made ‘remarkable progress’ since it was granted candidate status in June 2022, noting that this was ‘real proof of Moldova’s commitment’. ‘From the very start of our Presidency, we have actively engaged, working hand in hand with Moldova, and with the European Commission and have successfully concluded the technical preparations for the remaining negotiating clusters’, the President said.
He said that the Ministerial Meeting held in March – the first for Moldova on enlargement since opening accession negotiations in 2024 – served as a clear demonstration of the EU’s commitment to Moldova’s path.
‘The Cyprus Presidency’s objective remains the formal opening of the negotiating Clusters, beginning with Cluster 1 (Fundamentals), this June. These form the backbone of accession negotiations – rule of law, justice reform, fundamental rights. I am confident that, by joining forces, this goal is within our reach’, he said.
He noted that enlargement is a merit based processed, and when candidates like Moldova deliver, ‘we must deliver as well’.
Parallel to these negotiations, he added, ‘we are focused on results that yield immediate impact to the Moldovan people. Through the EU Growth Plan, we are ensuring that the benefits of Moldova’s European path reach communities across the country’.
Indeed, he said, following the successful completion of key reforms, the European Union has recently released a further 200 million euros to act as an engine for the Moldovan economy. ‘This investment is not just a figure, but a commitment to doubling your economy, modernising your infrastructure, and creating the high-tech jobs that allow your young people to thrive here at home’, he said.
President Christodoulides also said that the two countries’ bilateral relationship ‘is also growing’. ‘Following our discussions in Nicosia last December, during Maia’s visit, I am pleased to note that negotiations have officially commenced on a bilateral Social Security agreement, which is only the beginning of a series of agreements that we intend to finalise in the coming months. This will build on our existing air connectivity, to facilitate exchanges for our people and businesses’, he said.
He also thanked President Sandu for Moldova’s principled stance on the Cyprus question, ‘on our ongoing efforts to end the 52-year long foreign occupation and reunite our country based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and EU law, values, and principles’.
He also reiterated Cyprus’s ‘steadfast support for Moldova’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. We salute the brave and hard-working people of Moldova. And we stand with you. The future of Moldova is European, and you can count on the Cyprus Presidency to bring this future closer’, he said.
On her part, according to the statement, President Sandu, speaking through an interpreter, said, among other things, that President Christodoulides’ visit comes at a very important moment when Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
She added that each country that shares the EU values has a place within the European family, adding that the enlargement of the EU is a strategic response to all the threats that we come across.
Cyprus knows very well what it means to have its sovereignty threatened and its territorial integrity infringed, and what it means to be part of a strong family, President Sandu said, adding that belonging to the EU strengthens the country and creates space for development.
She noted that Moldova fully and firmly supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and the reunification of Cyprus in full compliance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
She added that Moldova admires the path of Cyprus and believes that Moldova deserves the same chance for stability, prosperity and peace and that the EU accession is the most important project for her country which proceeds to numerous reforms towards that end.
President Sandu expressed gratitude to Cyprus for its support to Moldova’s accession process and noted that today’s visit will deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries.