Maia Sandu addresses the European Parliament
It is the responsibility of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to elect a Parliament that will lead the country to the European Union, President Maia Sandu said in her address to the European Parliament.
Ştefan Stoica, 10.09.2025, 13:50
The speech of Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, was the highlight of Tuesday’s session of the European Parliament, also because it came at a crucial moment for the future of the Republic of Moldova. “On 28 of September 2025, Moldova will hold the most consequential election in its history. Its outcome will decide whether we consolidate as a stable democracy on the path to EU membership — a safe neighbour to Ukraine and a security provider to the Union — or whether Russia destabilizes us, pulls us away from Europe, and turns us into a threat on Ukraine’s southwestern border and Europe’s eastern frontier”, Maia Sandu said. According to the Moldovan president, the stability of Moldova is the stability of Europe, and the peace of Moldova is also the peace of Europe. The Moldovan head of state said the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are ready to advance their EU accession negotiations, in a merit-based process that reflects the progress of each country. In her opinion, the European Union has never been about perfection, but about protecting fragile democracies until they are consolidated. The European Union, Maia Sandu pointed out, is a steadfast partner of Moldova, which it has helped to reform, modernize and build institutions capable of withstanding pressure.
Maia Sandu paid tribute to Ukraine and its citizens, who are fighting to defend their country and freedom, thus protecting Moldova as well. “We owe them our peace. But their sacrifice is also a reminder: peace is never guaranteed. That is why our European path is not just a matter of values — it is a matter of survival. And precisely because we have advanced greatly on this path, Russia has unleashed its full arsenal of hybrid attacks against us. The battlefield is our elections”, the president warned.
At the end of her speech, Maia Sandu addressed Moldovan citizens in Romanian, telling them that they should be proud they have built a living democracy and preserved it for three decades, even when some have tried to silence or destroy it. “Today, however, our independence and peace are once again being put to the test: interference in our elections, illegal funding from abroad, disinformation campaigns, cyber-attacks, paid protests, tactics to sow hatred between people. These are the methods by means of which Moldova is being tested to stop its European path. Now we must take the decisive step: to elect a parliament that will lead Moldova into the European Union. This is our responsibility. The future of Moldova depends on the courage and unity with which we will vote”, the president went on to say. Towards the end of the Moldovan president’s speech, the unaffiliated MEP Diana Şoşoacă, the representative of the sovereignist, ultranationalist movement in Romania, shouted “Moldova is Romania, Maia Sandu!” Her intervention was received with boos from the majority of MEPs in attendance. (VP)
