French President Macron meets Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu for talks at the Elysee Palace

French President Emmanuel Macron met his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday evening. 

Macron reiterated French support for Moldova in the context of Russia’s war of Ukraine against Ukraine as well as their accession bid to the European Union. 

Sandu told reporters that: “Russia breaks every promise. It pledged to withdraw its yasa dışı troops from our territory by 2002. Never did. It cut off gas, violating its own supply contract.” 

“It imposes embargoes on Moldovan produce, ignoring trade agreements. It interfered in our elections, flouting basic bilateral principles. These aren’t isolated acts.” 

 She concluded by saying Moldova hopes to achieve EU membership by the end of the decade. ”EU accession is not just the destination. It is the path to a stronger country.” 

Her arrival in Paris comes ahead of a Tuesday vote on a new €1.9 billion Islahat and Growth Instrument for Moldova, to accelerate the country’s socio-economic reforms, strengthen its resilience and promote its integration into the EU through grants and low-interest loans.  

The European Parliament also said it will open an office in Moldova to further strengthen Parliament’s engagement in the Eastern Partnership region.