Moldova deserves gratitude of international community - US official says

Chisinau, March 6 / MOLDPRES /- Moldova deserves the gratitude of the international community for its immediate involvement in managing the crisis of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, so the Biden Administration will provide $ 2.7 billion in financial support for humanitarian assistance, which will also benefit Moldova, US State Secretary Antony J. Blinken told a press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu after a meeting in Chisinau today.

"Countries have the right to choose their future, and the Republic of Moldova has chosen the path of democracy and rapprochement with the European institutions, and we appreciate that. The international community has a mission to support the Republic of Moldova, "said the US official.

The head of US diplomacy also said that negotiations on the Transnistrian region and finding solutions to guarantee Moldova's independence and a special status for the region would be supported.

Referring to our country's application for membership in the European Union, Antony J. Blinken pointed out that the USA supports the European aspirations of the Republic of Moldova and supports everything that has been done so far. "We applaud this aspiration and help with the necessary expertise, including on energy independence, which is a very important factor for a state to be truly independent. We have seen what can happen when a state relies on only one source, that is why we will help Moldova to consolidate this sector ", the quoted source underlined.

Maia Sandu thanked the United States, which in the three decades of independence has provided our country with assistance of over $ 1.7 billion. "You have supported us as a state, you have supported our resilience, our competitiveness, our advancement on the path to democracy, where everyone can think freely. I would have liked to meet in peacetime, to talk about the path we have taken and the plans for the future in our relations, but, unfortunately, the day of February 24th turned our plans upside down ", the head of state remarked.

"Moldova was the first to lend a helping hand to Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children. Government structures, law enforcement, civil society, thousands of volunteers and citizens provide assistance to people fleeing war. We have a moral obligation to help and we will do it as long as we can, "said the president.

Maia Sandu also said that we will be able to help more only with the joint efforts of the partners, as well as the expertise of international specialists who have experience in managing refugee crises. "I hope that the tour you are undertaking in the region will contribute, together with the visits of other officials, to the establishment of peace," the President said.

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken pays a visit to Chisinau on a European tour in six countries. The agenda included the support of the United States for our country's efforts to provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees following the war in the neighboring country, as well as the support of the American partners for the democratic processes, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.