Maia Sandu: The Eastern Partnership must become a platform that supports the efforts of member countries in the EU accession process
The Eastern Partnership (EaP) must adapt to the new realities in the region and become a platform that supports member countries in their efforts to join the European Union, President Maia Sandu said at a meeting with an Eastern Partnership delegation led by Dirk Schübel, the European External Action Service (EEAS) Special Envoy for the EaP.
The President praised the support offered by the EU Member States in the European path of the Republic of Moldova and spoke about the reform agenda undertaken by the authorities in Chisinau. Maia Sandu stressed the role of the Eastern Partnership for the benefit of the citizens, saying that it should be adapted to the new circumstances.
"The Eastern Partnership needs to be adapted to the new reality in our region where strengthening security and economic growth are key priorities. The EaP must become a platform that further supports the efforts of member countries in the process of joining the EU. Integration into the EU is our country project, for which all state institutions are working and which is supported by all citizens who want to live in peace, freedom and prosperity at home," stressed Maia Sandu, quoted by the presidential institution's press release.
Maia Sandu praised the cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries.
"Thanks to the instruments for promoting stability, security and prosperity in the Eastern Neighbourhood, Moldova is stronger today and can better face the challenges it is facing", she said.
The Eastern Partnership was officially launched on 7 May 2009 at the Prague Summit and is an initiative to strengthen and deepen EU cooperation with six partner countries in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus (participation suspended as of 28 June 2021), Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
The Eastern Partnership aims to strengthen the political association and economic integration of six partner countries in Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus.
