LIVE TEXT // Marcel Ciolacu: Russia will bring the Republic of Moldova into the zone of isolation and poverty, it will bring neither security nor development
The Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, is today, October 4, in Chisinau on an official visit, together with three members of his cabinet. The program includes meetings with the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, the Parliament Speaker, Igor Grosu, and the prime minister, Dorin Recean. The two prime ministers will participate in the handover ceremony of the school minibuses offered by the Romanian state to the Republic of Moldova.
12:19 p.m
Marcel Ciolacu: "Russia will bring the Republic of Moldova into the zone of isolation, into the zone of poverty, it will bring neither security nor development"
The Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, mentioned the importance of the European path of the Republic of Moldova, stressing the fact that the European Union will only bring benefits to Moldovan citizens.
"Between the Republic of Moldova and Romania there is more than a substantive relationship. I don't believe in little brother, big brother. We are brothers and we have only one objective: the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Union. We have as a comparison: 20 billion euros are invested from European money this year in Romania. That's what EU integration means. Romania benefits from a 500 million euro grant only for afforestation. At this moment, in Romania there is an average salary of 1500 euros, a pension of 550 euros. This is what the European Union will bring to the Republic of Moldova. We can only talk about the Republic of Moldova within the EU. (…) Russia is no guarantee for the Republic of Moldova. Russia will bring the Republic of Moldova into the zone of isolation, into the zone of poverty, it will bring neither security nor development".
12:10 p.m Dorin Recean: "Romania was by our side both in good times and in the most difficult moments"
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Dorin Recean, noted Romania's role in supporting Moldovan citizens. "Romania was by our side not only in good times, but also in the most difficult moments. At the beginning of the energy crisis, Romania helped us, a gesture of solidarity that we will not forget. Romania is a faithful supporter of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova", declared the Prime Minister from Chisinau. Recean also spoke about the neighbouring state's contributions to the modernization of the educational infrastructure and the economic development of the country. "We see it in the more than 1,000 renovated kindergartens throughout the country and in the scholarships for more than 2,500 pupils and students from the Republic of Moldova."
Dorin Recean also highlighted the importance of economic ties with Romania, which represents "the largest and most stable market for Moldovan exports" and underlined Bucharest's firm commitment to attracting foreign investment in the Republic of Moldova, from energy and agriculture to technology .
"Romania helps the Republic of Moldova continuously and unconditionally. Thank you for this sincere commitment", concluded Recean.
10:30 am Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, welcomed with military honors at the Government
The Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, was welcomed at the Government House in Chisinau by his Moldovan counterpart, Dorin Recean, with military honors. The two officials shook hands, hugged and exchanged a few words of welcome before they start the series of bilateral discussions provided for in the program of the visit.
At 12:00, Marcel Ciolacu and Dorin Recean will hold a joint press conference, and the statements will be broadcast live by Moldova 1 TV. Also today, the Romanian Prime Minister will visit the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
The Bucharest executive conveyed, through a press release, that Marcel Ciolacu will reconfirm in Chisinau Romania's firm support for the Republic of Moldova, on all levels - political, economic and social.
In the context of the official visit, the Chisinau authorities imposed traffic restrictions in certain areas of the city, between 08:00 and 18:00. Access to some public places in the center of Chisinau and on the main roads that connect to Chisinau International Airport is temporarily limited. Likewise, protests and repair work are prohibited on the streets where the official column will move. Chisinau City Hall urges drivers to follow traffic agents' directions, show patience and avoid travelling on these streets during the day.
