Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday, during his official visit to Chisinau, that the opening of the Republic of Moldova's accession negotiations to the European Union is one of the most "important moments" in the relations between Romania and the neighbouring country during his two terms in office.
He told a press conference in Chisinau that European and Euro-Atlantic integration "is the path that the Republic of Moldova would do well to follow", just as Romania did.
"There were many important moments, some very important, some emotional, some that were better perceived only by specialists. But one of the projects that Romania and the Republic of Moldova have tackled and carried out together is the European path of the Republic of Moldova. The fact that we succeeded in obtaining a clear decision in Brussels for the Republic of Moldova's candidate country status for integration and subsequently - and this was a surprise for many people - to even get accession negotiations started - which is, in fact, the strongest administrative step, (...), by far the most important thing, and I believe that President Sandu's decision to call a referendum on this issue is an extraordinarily good idea, because in this way the common person also perceives the importance of this project," said President Iohannis.
The head of state emphasised that Romania's European integration has brought "enormous" economic growth, stability, the consolidation of internal democracy, representing at the same time a national project of great scope and duration, according to agerpres.ro.
"I remember the discussions that took place in Romania when we were going through the same phase - complicated and long accession negotiations. There were voices already beginning to ask whether we really need to integrate, whether it is important. The importance of integration is so great and the results are so positive that I recommend that you do everything to popularise these things. In Romania's case, European integration has led to enormous economic growth - not significant, but enormousone, it has led to stability, it has led to the consolidation of internal democracy in Romania and it has made possible what we call the Euro-Atlantic course, which sounds like a simple phrase, but it is a national project of great scope and great duration. And that is why I believe that this is the path that the Republic of Moldova would do well to follow," President Iohannis told the conference held together alongside his counterpart from Chisinau, Maia Sandu.
President Iohannis is on an official visit to Chisinau on Saturday, at the invitation of President Maia Sandu, which is taking place in the context in which Romania and the Republic of Moldova are celebrating the Romanian Language Day.
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