President Nauseda,
Welcome back to Chisinau! I am glad to welcome you here again, a year after your official visit to the Republic of Moldova.
Your visit takes place in a totally different context for our country and the region, because of the war started by Russia against Ukraine two and a half months ago. We appreciate Your solidarity.
We all have seen the atrocities committed during these two months in numerous towns and villages in our neighboring country. The Ukrainian tragedy concerns each and every one of us. Moldova has strongly condemned the military aggression of the Russian Federation and, from day one, we called for the cessation of the hostilities.
I discussed with Mr. President the impact of the war on Moldova. We are carefully monitoring the evolution of events and our state institutions are working hard and are doing everything possible not to allow the destabilization in the country. We are also in constant contact with our foreign partners and friends.
Our analyses and those of our partners show that today the Republic of Moldova is not in danger. But we remain vigilant. The priority of our authorities is the preservation of peace, life and safety of citizens.
The citizens of Moldova have not been indifferent to the tragedy of their Ukrainian neighbours. They showed solidarity with the Ukrainian refugees and welcomed them into their homes. More than 90 thousand, half of them children, remain in the Republic of Moldova. A great number for a small country.
We know that Lithuania also hosts a large number of refugees from Ukraine. In difficult times, we have to offer our help to those who need it, it is human to do so. Lithuania has offered us €750,000 in support to cover part of the refugees' living expenses. We are grateful for this help.
Mr. President,
The war in Ukraine is having a great impact on Republic of Moldova, which has already been affected by the pandemic and the rising prices of goods and energy resources. Imports and exports to Eastern markets have ceased. Therefore, opening up the European and Lithuanian markets to Moldovan products would be a direct and tangible help to our entrepreneurs. We would as well appreciate the admission of transit of road transport of goods from Moldova, without specific authorization. We will help thus the Moldovan transporters who, because of the war, do not have access to traditional routes.
I know that we can count on Lithuania's support. Your country is a loyal and sincere friend of the Republic of Moldova. We value our bilateral cooperation and want to strengthen it further.
We have good sectoral cooperation in agriculture, public order and defense. We want to continue cooperation in the area of countering hybrid risks and disinformation, where Lithuania's experience will be very useful. We would like to develop ties and cooperation between Moldovan and Lithuanian local authorities.
Lithuania offers scholarships for Moldovan citizens - 98 military personnel from the Republic of Moldova received scholarships from the Lithuanian Military Academy.
We appreciate the fact that the Republic of Moldova is among the priority countries for foreign assistance offered by the Lithuanian Government. Over the years, Lithuania has supported in our country development programs in the field of good governance and capacity building for civil society, worth more than one million euros. Currently, such a program is being implemented at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
We see Lithuania's support in the modernization of key institutions and sectors, in border management and in training of military and police. Lithuania's experience of democratic and economic transformation and the steadfastness with which your country has made its way towards the European Union remain eloquent examples of good practice for Moldova as well.
We have also considerable growth potential for economic and trade cooperation and development of social and cultural ties between our countries. But for that we need peace.
Dear Mr. President,
Despite the numerous crises we are facing, we want to develop the Republic of Moldova, reinforce state's resilience and offer our citizens a European path and a European future. The war convinced us that we have no time to lose - we must advance quickly towards our goal.
Therefore, on March 3, the Republic of Moldova signed its application for membership in the European Union. We are ready to submit the second part of the completed accession questionnaire within few days. We hope to receive the positive opinion of the European Commission and Member States on our application. And because Lithuania has always supported the European aspirations of the Republic of Moldova, we are counting on your and Lithuanian Government's support for granting us candidate status.
We know that the European integration process means, above all, a lot of work. This process means consistent and joint efforts of public institutions, business, civil society and citizens who can restore the order in the country. We are ready to work with dedication for as long as it takes.
Our choice is the European Union, because the European Union is, par excellence, a project of peace, a peaceful and prosperous family of European states. And a small and vulnerable country like the Republic of Moldova would feel safer being part of this family.
Mr. President,
We want to thank Lithuania for its constant support to our country throughout the years of its Independence. We value this support and wish to strengthen and develop our bilateral partnership. But for that we need peace now. And the international community must do all it can to stop the Russian military offensive and restore peace in the neighbouring country. We must stop the crimes and ravages of war. We should give priority to solidarity and mutual aid to save lives.
Let us plead, every day, for this. It is our duty to the people of Ukraine, to our citizens, to present and future generations who deserve to live in a peaceful, free and prosperous world.