Ursula von der Leyen: Moldova's Future is in the EU
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that the future of Moldova lies in the European Union.
In today's speech to the European Parliament on the State of the Union, von der Leyen said that the EU would continue to support Ukraine and that it would propose extending the temporary protection it offers to Ukrainian refugees.
"We will stand by Ukraine every step of the way, for as long as it takes," von der Leyen said. "Since the outbreak of the war, four million Ukrainians have fled to the European Union and I want to tell them that they are as welcome now as they were in the first fateful weeks at the beginning."
"We have ensured that they have access to housing, labor force, and medical care. This was Europe that answered the call of history. I am proud to announce: the Commission will propose extending the temporary protection that we offer Ukrainians in the European Union. Our support for Ukraine will persist."
The EU has already allocated €12 billion this year to help Ukraine pay salaries and pensions, and to support hospitals, schools, and other services. It has also proposed the ASAP act, which would intensify ammunition production to meet Ukraine's immediate needs.
Looking to the future, the EU has proposed allocating an additional €50 billion over four years for investments and reforms in Ukraine. This would help to rebuild the country's future and create a prosperous and modern Ukraine.
"This institution has said it clearly: the future of Ukraine is in the European Union, the future of the Western Balkans is in the European Union, the future of Moldova is in our union!" von der Leyen said.
The speech by von der Leyen comes as the EU faces a number of challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global economic crisis.
The European Parliament will hold a debate on the speech on Wednesday and the coming days.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
