Moldovan president gives speech occasioned by National Day of Romania

Chisinau, 27 November /MOLDPRES/ - President Maia Sandu has held a speech at the reception given by His Excellency Cristian-Leon Turcanu, Ambassador of Romania to Moldova, on the occasion of the marking of the National Day of Romania on 1 December. The Moldovan president emphasized the close relations between the two banks of the Prut river and appreciated the constant and unconditional support of Romania on Moldova’s European integration way.   

Speech by Moldova’s President Maia Sandu at the reception given on the occasion of the marking of Romania’s National Day:   

Distinguished audience,
Dear Romanians and friends of Romania,

It is happiness for us to celebrate together the National Day of Romania, a moment full of significance for all those who love Romania. This day reminds us about the deep relation between the two banks of the Prut river.  

We, those from the Republic of Moldova, love Romania just as somebody loves an older sister: as we have the same roots, the same language, the same confidence in a better future.  

We love it without egoism, without reservations, without expectations. Any victory of Romania is our victory. We experience any difficulty together.  

I am happy that we meet again namely this week. There are moments when the families must assemble, stay together and regard the challenges directly.   

We experience times which put to test the democracy and our common values. Both Romania and Moldova go through difficult moments. Yet, each hardship is also an occasion to support each other and to prove that we are stronger together.  

Today, more than ever, the Republic of Moldova needs a strong Romania. A strong Romania is a European Romania. Moldova and Romania, united under the banner of the European Union, will be stronger together.  

We know what the separation means – 50 years of closed borders and silence imposed by a regime which wanted us to be alien to each other. We want to move together free towards a common future.   

Dear friends,

All Moldovans with Romanian citizenship who went to vote – over 80,000 – showed their care and love for Romania. Their vote says that the Romanian passport is not only a benefit, but also a responsibility. I thank them for the fact that they chose to defend the future of Romania, just as they did this for the Republic of Moldova.

The elections in Romania showed us also a thing which we, the ones from Moldova, experienced in our lives: the democracy and freedom are under siege all over the world. The fight for freedom never stops. The distance between the democracy and authoritarianism can be quite short.    

On last Sunday, we experienced again the emotions of our elections. And they touched a raw nerve. But they reminded us also about the power of a nation which mobilizes against the danger.

We understood that the hope, no matter how strong, is not enough for the good to win. It is necessary that a nation defends the fate and place in the world by voting.   

Dear Romanians,  

The future of Moldova depends also on the way Romania is choosing. On the next days, the Romanians will go to vote again and I am fully confident that they will defend Romania, with all things which we love in it.  

Romania is for us the shoulder which supports us when we are in difficulty. As well as the shoulder nearby which we move in moments of celebration. And we want a strong shoulder! We should mutually support and move together towards a better future.     

We want a free and strong Romania, as much as we want a free and strong Moldova. As the things are like this between sisters!  

Congratulations, Romania! Congratulations to all Romanians!