In 2010, when Romania and Germany marked 130 years of diplomatic relations, Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Bucharest. 13 years on, her successor at the helm of the government in Berlin, Olaf Scholz, also visited Romania, and the sensitive issues addressed in the discussions with President Klaus Iohannis included, as in 2010, Romania’s accession to Schengen.
Left outside the free movement area because of Austria’s opposition, Romania maintains its main goal of joining Schengen and has a strong supporter in Germany. I hope, said Olaf Scholz, that accession will take place this year. Romania, he said, has met all the requirments and we need secure borders. Because Romania is neighboring Ukraine, a country that is militarily attacked, and because the war has serious consequences for the Republic of Moldova, a neighbor of both, the Iohannis – Scholz bilateral in Bucharest was joined by the Moldovan president Maia Sandu. Romania will continue to support the Republic of Moldova, was the firm message conveyed by President Klaus Iohannis.
„We will keep supporting Chisinau, firmly and unwaveringly, all the more so as the Republic of Moldova is subject to systematic hybrid pressures, including attempts to undermine its constitutional order. The Republic of Moldova is on the front line, faced with the consequences of the war on its border and with Russia’s extremely virulent and destabilizing actions, all of which are strongly impacting the citizens.”
In turn, President Maia Sandu stated that Europe is strong thanks to the unity and firmness with which it defends peace and people’s lives. The Republic of Moldova is the most vulnerable neighbor of Ukraine, affected by the war and the hybrid attacks orchestrated by the Kremlin, Maia Sandu stressed. According to her, the country needs economic support, but also to strengthen the capacity of institutions responsible for the security of citizens and the defense system.
Maia Sandu thanked Romania and Germany for their support:
„The support of our partners, Bucharest and Berlin in particular, is highly appreciated. Thank you for supporting peace, prosperity and our European future. For its part, the Republic of Moldova ensures, together with Ukraine, the security of over 1,200 km of European border”.
The Republic of Moldova is part of our European family, it is not alone and benefits from massive international support, the Chancellor of Germany also stressed. Olaf Scholz voiced his worries over the reports regarding Russia’s attempts to destabilize the Republic of Moldova. „The sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state are inviolable, that’s why we are doing all we can to support Moldova defend itself from all these destabilization attempts”, the German Chancellor concluded. (Ștefan Stoica, Radio Romania International)
