President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu on Thursday hailed her country's close ties with Romania and Ukraine at a joint press conference in Chisinau delivered with her Romanian and Ukrainian counterparts, Nicusor Dan and Volodymyr Zelensky, held alongside events marking the 35th anniversary of the Republic of Moldova's independence.

'We share the same commitment to the fundamental values of our civilisation: peace, freedom and democracy,' Maia Sandu said.

'Thirty-five years ago, we were three poor countries on the fringes of Europe, with ruined economies and uncertain futures. Today, we are three European states sitting at the same table and respected in Europe and around the world,' she underscored.

'Romania, a NATO and European Union member. Ukraine, a country that, through courage and innovation, is now defending an entire continent against a brutal aggressor. And the Republic of Moldova, a country whose people have defended through their vote their allegiance to the European family and which is now negotiating EU accession,' she said.

'Over these 35 years, we have learned what independence truly means. Independence means having electricity and heating in your home, regardless of what is decided in Moscow; selling your products where you and your work are respected; choosing your own friends and your own path; being treated as a partner; having a voice; and deciding through your vote who governs the country,' Maia Sandu went on to say.

'You are given only one thing from the very beginning: your neighbours. And the Republic of Moldova has been fortunate. To the west, we have a country that has stood by us since we proclaimed our independence. Romania has been there for us at every crossroads, during the difficult early years, through energy crises and at times when others watched us from a distance. It did so naturally, as a brother or sister would. Romania championed our cause in Europe when our voice was still weak. And when it joined the European Union in 2007, Moldovans could see for themselves that this path was achievable,' she stressed.

'To the east, we have a country that is defending peace across the entire continent with the lives of its people. We share 1,222 kilometres of border with Ukraine, and Ukrainians are keeping the aggressor away from our homes. Moldova sleeps more peacefully thanks to the resilience of the Ukrainian people,' the president said.

Maia Sandu recalled that on Monday, during her visit to Kyiv, she awarded Zelensky the Order of the Republic, the highest distinction of the Republic of Moldova, 'for his exceptional contribution to defending peace and freedom on the European continent,' and said that, as a 'sign of the Moldovan people's gratitude for the courage of the Ukrainian people,' she presented him with the distinction in Chisinau on Thursday.

'In these 35 years, we have learned that independence is stronger when it rests on solid ties, and that is why we know what kind of country we want to be for our neighbours: a good neighbour, a reliable friend, a security partner. This is our goal: to be a state that provides security to those at home and to those around us - Ukraine, Romania and the European Union, which we are preparing to join,' Maia Sandu told the press conference.

She also warned that Russia's 'brutal war against Ukraine is being felt beyond' Ukraine's borders.

'The airspace of the Republic of Moldova and Romania has been violated dozens of times. Even today, on the eve of the celebrations, Russian drones entered our airspace in an obvious attempt to intimidate us. I say clearly and unequivocally, in the presence of our friends: We will not be intimidated,' she underscored.

The Moldovan head of state said that her country was investing in air defence 'so that we can protect our people and infrastructure,', and also called on all 'countries of the free world to help Ukraine strengthen its air defence now, before this winter.'

'We continue to join our efforts. We want three closely connected countries, with people able to travel easily from one country to another, as if they were at home. Borders that are well guarded but crossed quickly, without queues. Roads and railways along which goods can move without impediments. Gas and electricity flowing in both directions, so that each of us can access energy when needed. Rivers managed jointly, because the Prut and Dniester are our shared resources. The Danube ports - Giurgiulesti, Galati, Reni and Izmail - working in coordination. And a shared airspace under surveillance. This is the region we are building and the future we want within the European Union, which we and Ukraine aspire to join. This is what we work for every day. Today, we celebrate our achievement,' Maia Sandu said in conclusion. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Ionut Mares; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)