Sandu, a former World Bank economist who favors closer ties with the European Union, was sworn in as the first female president of Moldova after taking the oath of office at a ceremony in Chisinau on Thursday.
In a joint statement with his counterparts from six other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, the Polish president said that Sandu “has been given a strong mandate from the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, who expect changes, a more ambitious reform agenda, democracy and closer ties with the EU.”
In their joint statement, Poland’s Duda, Lithuania’s Gitanas Nausėda, Estonia’s Kersti Kaljulaid, Romania’s Klaus Iohannis, Latvia’s Egils Levits, the Czech Republic’s Miloš Zeman and Slovakia’s Zuzana Čaputová expressed their “full support” for Sandu in “her efforts to consolidate the implementation of reforms based on democratic values, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.”
“We stand by President Maia Sandu in her endeavours to establish a functioning democratic system in the Republic of Moldova that reflects the will of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova,” the seven presidents said.
“We are also ready to share our reform and European integration experience that could contribute to the prosperity and wellbeing of the Republic of Moldova on its path towards the European Union,” they added.
They reiterated their countries’ “unwavering support” for Moldova’s “independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity” and “the European path” chosen by that country’s citizens.
Sandu was elected last month after defeating pro-Moscow incumbent Igor Dodon in a tight race, news agencies reported.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters, prezydent.pl
