Today, 21 May, the European Moldova National Assembly is taking place in Chisinau, convened by President Maia Sandu to “tell the world that we are Europeans and that this is the path we have chosen”.

UPDATE 14.00: The artist Vali Boghean took the stage.

UPDATE 13.53: In PMAN, the Resolution of the European Moldova National Assembly was adopted and voted unanimously by all participants.

UPDATE 13.42: In the PMAN, actor Andrei Sochircă reads out the Resolution of the European Moldova National Assembly.

UPDATE 13.40: Professor Elena Vorotneac: “Thanks to European investments, in many schools our children learn in European conditions”.

UPDATE 13.31: Farmer and entrepreneur Igor Golban took the stage: “We came to say what we want! We want to build Europe at home. We felt the support of the European Union at first hand. We need courage and perseverance. For me as an entrepreneur, the European Union has become the most important partner. I am deeply grateful to the EU. I am confident that by joining our efforts we will make a more prosperous Moldova together”.

UPDATE 13.25: Entrepreneur Vasile Tofan, back from abroad: “As an entrepreneur I felt all the Russian embargoes. Now all our products are Europe. We have something to be proud of. We have engineers and programmers of calibre. I want a European Moldova where those who work harder succeed, where Moldovan winemakers have access to the same funds as European entrepreneurs. Let’s break away from the Soviet mire and move towards a more civilised world.”

UPDATE 13.20: Mihail Sirkali took the stage with the exhortation: “Let’s give Comrat the message that ‘Moldova is Europe'”.

Update 13.08: Tatiana Badan, mayor of the village of Seremet, gives a speech on stage: “The European Union – this is our chance to work at home! All projects in our villages are implemented with the support of European states. Thank you!

UPDATE 13.02: Athlete, three-time freestyle wrestling champion Anastasia Nichita: “EU membership will make our lives better. Nothing compares to European conditions. Our young people deserve to live in the European Union. I urge all young people to make their voices heard. We must take Moldova to the EU.

UPDATE 12.53: Performer Cătălin Josan: “Freedom is a daily struggle. We will not let anyone steal our future. We are a European country. We have always been and will always be Europe”.

UPDATE 12.52: The crowd chants “I am Europe”.

UPDATE 12.43: Performer Cătălin Josan sings “Wind of Change”.

UPDATE 12.28: Performer Cristi Aldea-Teodorovici performs Romanian folk songs, reminiscing of the Movement for National Awakening of the early 1990’s – “Rejoice, friends!”, “Let Eminescu judge us” and “The fire in the hearth”.

UPDATE 12.25: Performer Cristi Aldea-Teodorovici: “I come from a tough family, which through song has planted the longing and love of the homeland. We can take a step towards the EU. Why not choose a better future? Everything is in our hands now,” said the singer.

UPDATE 12.22: Colonel Adrian Efros “I know and I know the price of peace. And it is our responsibility to ensure peace and security at home! Today we decide the future of the country. Peace in the country and in the region”.

UPDATE 12.14: Writer and journalist Tatiana Țîbuleac “Our Europe was an imaginary Europe. I can’t help thinking today about the first migrants. Today when we can travel freely we can’t help thinking about them. The question is not ‘if’, but ‘when’ we will become Europeans – ‘today'”, concluded Țîbuleac.

UPDATE 12.08: Eugen Doga came on stage with a message of solidarity: “I greet you dear Europeans. From Europe, in Europe. Europe is in ourselves. Let’s take the earplugs out of our ears and the tinted glasses and walk towards the sun. The historic time has come and our country is going towards the sun, going towards Europe”.

UPDATE 12.05: Youth Orchestra and choir “Moldova” perform “Ode to Europe”, composed by Eugen Doga.

UPDATE 12.00: Roberta Metsola: Moldova is ready for integration.

UPDATE 11.52: The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, took the stage and addressed the Assembly in Romanian with the message: “Dear citizens of Moldova, dear Europeans! Europe is Moldova, Moldova is Europe”.

UPDATE 11.50: Maia Sandu: “Today we all gathered together in a bunch to say that Moldova is European, that Moldova is raising its head high and going to the EU. Moldova is our country and I ask you to believe in our European future. It is the covenant of our generation to work as hard as necessary for future generations to live in Europe!” said the President. Maia Sandu gave a speech in Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz and Bulgarian.

UPDATE 11.36: Maia Sandu: “We are united by the desire to live together in a European country. Moldova will definitely be in the European Union! We can only be safe together with the European family! We want to keep our country and our children away from war”.

UPDATE 11.28: Maia Sandu: “We want the diaspora to come home, because Europe is home! We no longer want our country to be on the edge of Europe. We have a common mission to make the country richer and more prosperous!”

UPDATE 11.24: Maia Sandu: “Today the fulfilment of this aspiration is more possible than ever! We will have a large European market for our products”.

UPDATE 11.23: Moldovan President Maia Sandu: “Now is the time. Moldova is European! The master in our house is only the people! We are a country that deserves its place in the EU”.

UPDATE 11.15: President Maia Sandu and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola took the stage.

UPDATE 11.12: The anthem of the European Union is played by the Youth Orchestra.

UPDATE 11.08: Soprano Valentina Nafornita performs the anthem of Moldova.

Pictures of the mobilization of the population across the republic towards the Great National Assembly Square have started to be posted on social media. The European Moldova Assembly took place at the same time in Chisinau and 33 other European capitals and cities.