The deepening of the partnership with Romania represents "a guarantee" for the acceleration of the accession process of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, prime minister Dorin Recean declared on Friday, during a press conference held together with visiting Romanian prime minister Marcel Ciolacu.

"Economic and commercial exchanges between our countries have grown constantly and Romania represents the largest and most stable market for exports. Attracting foreign investments from various sectors, from energy to agriculture and technology, contributes to the modernization of the Moldovan economy and to the acceleration of our integration into the European market. Romania remains one of our most important allies on this path and we are happy to see how our economic and commercial ties continue to strengthen, bringing real benefits to the citizens of both countries," Recean said.

The Chisinau head of government said that the discussions with the Romanian prime minister focused on the development priorities of the two countries and the deepening of the strategic partnership "essential for the European integration" of the Republic of Moldova. The friendship between the two states is "enduring, based on historical and cultural ties and built on common values", he added.

According to Dorin Recean, Romania has always been "a reliable partner", which offered "valuable support, in the most difficult" moments.

"This solid friendship is very well seen in the many joint projects we are developing. From north to south, from road infrastructure to education, Romania is a faithful supporter of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. We see it in the over a thousand renovated kindergartens throughout the country, but also in scholarships for more than 2,500 pupils and students from the Republic of Moldova who study in schools, high schools and universities in Romania, after which many who come home support the modernization of our country. The most recent example: we launched together with a programme of grants for scientific research, with a very clear objective, to integrate the Republic of Moldova into the European research space," he said.

Recean recalled that Romania "actively" contributes to improving the teaching of the Romanian language in national minorities schools. Thus, this summer, 107 teachers attended training courses at universities in Romania.

The Moldovan PM referred to the joint efforts to preserve the cultural heritage, but also to the opening of the first religious museum in the Republic of Moldova at the Capriana Monastery, which is "another achievement that strengthens our cooperation".

"Romania was by our side not only in good times, but also in the most difficult moments. At the beginning of the energy crisis, the first helping hand was extended from Bucharest, a gesture of solidarity that we will not forget. Moldovan agricultural producers received 10,000 tonnes of Diesel fuel, we benefited from support for gas and electricity network interconnection projects, and 6 million euros were allocated for 33 projects from the European Village programme," he added.

Also, with the support of the Romanian Government, 40 schools from all districts of the country received new transport units.

"Last week, in Ungheni, the contract for the construction of the bridge over the Prut was signed, which will connect Ungheni from Romania and Ungheni from the Republic of Moldova, a symbol of the ever stronger ties between us. In 2026, this bridge must be ready. A new bridge, with four traffic lanes, which, literally and figuratively, will take us faster to Romania and the European Union. This project will not only facilitate transport and trade between our countries, but will also pave the way for the future many investments in the Republic of Moldova. The bridge will connect us directly to the A7 motorways, through Bucharest to Thessaloniki, and A8 to Budapest, Vienna and Paris. This way we will reach the EU faster, not only through the integration of the country's policies, but also with the help of the new roads," PM Recean stressed.AGERPRES(RO - author: Irinela Visan, editor: Claudia Stanescu; EN - editor: Maria Voican)