In Brussels, president discussed Moldova's European integration, future EU budget - investment in peace on continent

Chisinau, April 29 /MOLDPRES/ - President Maia Sandu has addressed the issue of speeding up Moldova's accession to the European Union during a working visit to Brussels. The head of state discussed with European Council President Charles Michel the reform process, the development of the war-hit economy, Moldova's role in regional security and our vision for a united, stable and prosperous Europe, the presidential press service has reported.

"Our priority is to hold the first intergovernmental conference with the European Union as soon as possible in order to formally start accession negotiations," the president said.

Maia Sandu also met with Věra Jourová, European Commission Vice-President, Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Paolo Gentiloni, EU Commissioner for Economy and Gert-Jan Koopman, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations.

At the invitation of Hahn, the Head of State delivered a speech at the EU Budget Conference. The president called for the next budget of the European Community to be a peace budget, an investment in restoring peace on the continent. 

Maia Sandu approached economic development and improving the living conditions of our country's citizens with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank.

Also, Maia Sandu met the Moldovan community residing in Belgium and Luxembourg. "Our citizens, whether they live in the country or abroad, are united in their desire to make progress on the European integration. I felt a deep care and love for our homeland and I asked them to show the same unity this autumn, when together we will decide the future of the country", the president said.