President: Slovakia Supports Moldova in EU-accession Talks

Bratislava, 26 March (TASR) - Slovakia will do its utmost to ensure that Moldova can make official progress in its accession talks with the European Union (EU), said President Peter Pellegrini in a joint statement during Moldovan President Maia Sandu's official visit to Slovakia on Thursday. According to Pellegrini, Slovakia supports Moldova in its efforts to become an EU member within the next few years and can offer its expertise in this regard. "Slovakia is on Moldova's side, Slovakia is on the side of EU enlargement, and Slovakia will do its best to ensure that Moldova makes official headway in these talks and gets on a path that will ultimately lead it to becoming an EU member within a few years," said Pellegrini, adding that Slovak experts are already assisting Moldova in the accession process. According to him, the EU must avoid making mistakes such as artificially delaying this process or making false promises to prospective member states, including Moldova. "If we protract this process, we may lose the support of the domestic population for this project," stressed the Slovak president. Sandu confirmed Moldova's growing trade with the EU. She views EU enlargement as a strategic matter. "Every country that joins the European Union makes this European family stronger," emphasised the Moldovan president, thanking Pellegrini for his support in Moldova's EU integration. During the first-ever visit by a Moldovan head of state to Slovakia, the two presidents also discussed the situation in the energy sector, as Moldova is facing damage to key infrastructure and disrupted electricity supplies following Russian attacks on Ukraine. Pellegrini informed her about Slovakia's aid after a Russian strike on a hydro-power power plant in Ukraine caused pollution of a major river that also flows through Moldova. "Slovakia was among the six EU countries that offered technical and material aid to Moldova immediately after this incident in order to help them to restore potable water supplies for their population as soon as possible," said the Slovak president. Sandu noted that Moldova faces significant risks when it comes to electricity supplies, and she expressed gratitude for Slovakia's aid and solidarity. "Ukraine's resilience is also very important to us. Whenever Ukraine is able to defend itself against this aggression, it means that Moldova will also be able to maintain its independence," she stated. In addition, she praised Slovakia's development aid, which supports sectors such as agriculture, and the two presidents highlighted a new air route connecting the Slovak and Moldovan capitals. Sandu's reception at the Presidential Palace also included the signing of a social security agreement between Slovakia and Moldova. "Thanks to this, periods worked in Slovakia will be counted towards pension insurance for citizens of Moldova," said Pellegrini. The agreement was signed by Slovak Labour Ministry State Secretary Marian Valentovic and Moldovan Labour and Social Protection Minister Natalia Plugaru. The agenda of Sandu's visit on Thursday also includes a Slovak-Moldovan business forum aimed at helping to launch further joint projects and strengthen mutual trade. ko/df