President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu voiced on Tuesday her appreciation for the fact that Romania is helmed by a 'firm partner' and a friend of the Moldovan people, as she called her visiting counterpart Nicusor Dan.

'I am glad that Romania is headed by a firm partner, a man who respects the Republic of Moldova and who is our friend,' the Moldovan head of state told a joint press conference with her Romanian counterpart Nicusor Dan, who is on an official visit to Chisinau.

Sandu mentioned that the majority of Republic of Moldova nationals who also have Romanian citizenship and voted for the pro-European option in the recent Romanian presidential ballot 'have won in the face of an immense danger.'

She also brought to mind Russia's threats, both military and hybrid, stating that 'both the Republic of Moldova and Romania know what this threat means.'

'We thank Romania for the support offered to Ukraine and which defends not only Ukraine, but Moldova and Romania too,' the Moldovan president emphasized.

Maia Sandu continued by detailing the dangers faced by Moldova in the current context: 'We have a difficult path to walk together: war in our neighborhood, uncertainty, three years of missile and tank attacks on Ukraine. Russia has chosen war and crime against a nation, a tragedy that reminds us that peace can simply be stolen from you overnight, that it is not granted, and that it must be defended day by day. This is not only a war fought with weapons, it is also a war that intoxicates our minds and souls, a war of manipulation, disinformation, fear and division. It is a systematic attack on democracies, on countries like ours, which choose the path of freedom, an attack that exploits and abuses the very principles of democracy in order to undermine democracy and unity from within. It is also an offensive against those who back Ukraine, designed to weaken this support and, ultimately, contribute to the weakening of the European Union as a project of peace and prosperity,' the Moldovan leader said.

According to Maia Sandu, 'the danger has not disappeared, on the contrary, it is transforming, adapting and continues to lurk, waiting for the right moment to strike again.'

Referencing history which 'has shown with a pain that is hard to put into words what can happen when we fail to defend ourselves from evil' - 'as we were separated by barbed wire, our language was forbidden, our parents and grandparents were deported, families were broken up, and culture and traditions were undermined; there were times when people were deprived of the right to feel, to speak, to hope.'

'If Moldova were to fall into the hands of Russia, not only Chisinau would be under threat, but Bucharest, Odessa, and Europe too,' Maia Sandu warned.

Mentioning the joint infrastructure projects with Bucharest, including the Chisinau - Vulcanesti power line which is nearing completion, Sandu said: 'Starting 2027, we will buy Romanian gas from the Black Sea and we want to take this further, to conclude a power supply contract for electricity produced by the new reactors at Cernavoda, once they become operational. Our economies are already linked in a natural and healthy way,' the President of the Republic of Moldova pointed out.

She also emphasized the need to improve the land movement from the Republic of Moldova to Romania.

'The customs queues remind us that we still have work to do. I spoke with Mr. President about the need to reduce waiting times at the border. The Prut River must be a bridge, not an obstacle,' said Maia Sandu.

Also, she once again highlighted Romania's role in supporting Moldova's EU accession process.

'Romania stands by our side on this path with experience, with concrete support, but especially with a firm voice in Brussels, a voice that defends our interests, that supports our aspirations. For this we are grateful. We thank you for supporting us, for encouraging us, for speaking on our behalf in forums where we don't yet have a seat at the table. But that seat will come and not only because we need support, but also because we have something to offer. Moldova can contribute to a safer Europe, through stability at the borders of the Union, through security in the Black Sea region, through a clear voice in the face of threats from the East,' Maia Sandu emphasized. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)