The speech of the president Maia Sandu

“Dear President Emmanuel Macron,

I am glad to be here today, at your invitation. I am very pleased to be the first President of Moldova on a visit to the Elysee Palace. This visit is a very important one for us, a visit that we hope to deepen the collaboration between Moldova and France, for the benefit of our citizens. Moldova is a European state not only geographically. We are Europeans through culture, history, language, but also aspirations for democracy, equity, and the rule of law. Two-thirds of our foreign trade is with the countries of the European Union. Since 2014 we have taken the European path for our country. It is the shortest path to democracy and prosperity. The Association Agreement allows us to bring European values ​​and standards to our home, thus improving people’s living standards.

In the presidential elections in November last year, I received a strong mandate from the citizens of Moldova to reform the judiciary and build a rule of law. The people of my country deserve to live in a better state, to know that they are protected by law and that their right to freedom is respected. I have undertaken to do this and I am glad that the French Republic is ready to help us in this endeavor, as it has done, in solidarity, in all 29 years of Moldovan-French relations. France is also among the top ten investors in Moldova and we want to increase the trade volume. Moldova is a small country, strategically located between East and West, with an attractive economic potential. Moldova is an active member of the Francophonie. We have a large number of schools where French is taught. We want to develop this dimension of our cultural cooperation.

I am happy to say that Moldovan-French history is also about people. France meant the chance of quality studies for thousands of young people in Moldova. France has become a track for the European assertion of artists from Moldova. And it became the second home for tens of thousands of Moldovans. 

Dear President Macron,

Thank you for the invitation. The two landmarks – Europe and Francophonie – have brought us closer over the years and, I am convinced, will be the basis of our cooperation in the future. On behalf of me and the people of Moldova, thank you for this proof of friendship and we hope to continue to enjoy it!” said the president of Moldova.

In his turn, Emmanuel Macron thanked Maia Sandu for agreeing to accept the invitation.

The French president also said that for 24 years, no Moldovan president had paid an official visit to France. Macron also said that he appreciates the president’s efforts in the fight against corruption and that the projects promoted by Maia Sandu are ambitious and courageous.

During the official visit to Paris, President Maia Sandu will meet with a number of high-ranking officials of the French State, as follows:

• Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate of the French Republic and members of the France-Moldova Friendship Group in the Senate;
• Richard Ferrand, President of the National Assembly and members of the France-Republic of Moldova Friendship Group in the National Assembly;
• Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs;
• Amélie de Montchalin, Minister for Transformation and Public Service;
• Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the Francophonie;
• Meeting with the management of MEDEF, the largest employers’ association in France, and with representatives of French business.

The official delegation in France includes the presidency of Moldova, Maia Sandu; Cristina Gherasimov, foreign policy adviser; Sorina Ștefîrță, counselor for public communication and Vasile Popa, deputy head of the State Protection and Guard Service.