Presidency of the Republic of Moldova
Dear friends,
Dear Emmanuel,
Dear Donald,
Dear Friedrich,
Welcome to Chișinău!
Thank you for being with us today, as the Republic of Moldova celebrates 34 years of Independence.
Your presence here—the leaders of three nations deeply respected by Moldovans—on our national day, is a clear sign of your respect and appreciation for Moldova and its people.
In these past years, and today more than ever, we feel that we are part of a family. And in a family, joys are shared, and burdens are carried together. For this solidarity, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Dear friends,
Europe was born as a peace project. Almost 75 years ago, after the most devastating war in history, the visionary leaders of France and Germany had the courage to build a united Europe, where former rivals became partners.
Later, Poland, after decades of dictatorship, showed that freedom and democracy can be reborn—and that they can strengthen Europe.
Today, Moldova follows in these footsteps. Like your countries, we know what it means to fight for freedom, to long for peace, to dream of a dignified future for our children.
We have always looked with admiration to France, Germany, and Poland—for your culture, your democratic traditions, your courage, and the perseverance with which you built your prosperity.
Moldova’s story has been different. From generation to generation, our people carried forward their traditions, their identity, their language. They fought for freedom, year after year. They kept their dignity, even when deported, even when imprisoned. Yet for too long, the world knew little of that struggle.
But in recent years, our voice has grown strong—and it has been heard. Today, Moldova is not only known, but respected. Moldova is firmly on the map.
The road has not been—and is not—easy. But today we walk it with allies and friends always by our side.
Today we celebrate a free country—respected for its honest and hardworking people, for its sweet fruits and fine wines, for its welcoming towns and villages, and for its solidarity.
For Moldovans, humanity has always come first. And so, despite our own vulnerabilities, we opened our homes and our hearts to our Ukrainian neighbours fleeing the bombs.
History has been harsh with us. Too many times we have stood at the crossroads of wars. But here we have remained, and here we have stood with dignity. No matter how hard it may be, we remain on the right side of history.
In the last four years, we have achieved many important things. We have strengthened our state institutions. We have consolidated our energy security, so that no one can blackmail us again. European assistance is invested directly in our communities, and progress in development can be felt more and more.
We have gained access to the largest single market in the world—the European market. A place where our producers find stability, clear rules, and real opportunities—not embargoes and blackmail.
We have built strong friendships. And those friendships make us stronger.
Today, our friends stand here beside us to say clearly: Moldova matters. And accession to the European Union is not a distant dream. It is a project we are building. It is a project in our hands. And we have no right to lose it. We have no right to allow the dark times to return. No right to let a wall rise again between us and Europe.
Dear friends,
Your presence here—France, Germany, Poland—shows not only your support for Moldova, but that the European project is alive, and that we are part of it.
And let me say this clearly: there is no alternative to Europe. Without the European Union, Moldova will remain trapped in the past.
We feel this truth with every bomb that falls on our neighbour. The brutal war Russia is waging against Ukraine shows us every day: Europe means freedom and peace. Putin’s Russia means war and death. Moldovans have already chosen the right path: the European path, the path of peace.
But we all know: independence is never guaranteed. It depends on the choices we make. Today, our independence, our sovereignty, our peace are tested more than ever: interference in our elections, illegal financing from abroad, disinformation campaigns, cyber-attacks, paid protests, the use of the church and online platforms for anti-European messages, attempts to sabotage the diaspora vote, efforts to sow hatred between communities.
These are immense pressures. But it is up to us whether they divide us or stop us on our path.
We understand our responsibility. Last year we fought a hard battle for democracy. Moldovans inspired the world by standing tall, through their vote, against a foreign force far greater than ourselves. We will have the future we want only if we protect it. And only Moldovans must decide the fate of Moldova.
The courage of Moldovans, our dignity, and our honest work will make Europe stronger, safer, more united, and more prosperous.
On this Independence Day, we celebrate the story of our country.
For years we looked with admiration at the story of Europe’s construction.
Today, Moldova is part of that story.
We are not alone. And that gives us strength. Strength to preserve peace, freedom, and development in our country. Strength to do so together with our European family.
Happy Independence Day, Moldova!
