Moldova, Romania condemn Russia, vow support to Ukraine

Following the first-ever joint session, the Romanian and Moldovan parliaments adopted a joint declaration on June 18, condemning Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and endorsing Chisinau's European integration aspirations.

The joint declaration begins by emphasizing that Moldova's specific European perspective is a key element of further reforms that will "encourage the Moldovan population in times of extreme insecurity and financial hardship", the Kyiv-based "European Truth" news service reported with reference to Digi24, according to Ukrainskaya Pravda.

The parties are also "deeply concerned about the security developments in the region in the context of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2022."

"We strongly condemn the unlawful, unprovoked, and unjustified aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We reaffirm our full support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders," said the parliamentarians of Moldova and Romania.

At the same time, they highlighted "the exemplary way in which the Romanian and Moldovan authorities, together with civil society representatives, have received large numbers of Ukrainian refugees."

"The Republic of Moldova confirms, in particular through these efforts, that it is a state with a European vacation, which naturally shares the values on which the European Union is founded," the document reads.

In addition, the two countries have reaffirmed their desire to continue close cooperation and coordination in areas of competence and common interest, including security, anti-corruption, culture, education, economy, etc.

The first-ever joint sitting of the Romanian and Moldovan parliaments took place on June 18 morning at the Palace of the Republic of Chisinau.

The meeting was attended by all Moldovan parties except the opposition Bloc of Communists and Socialists, which called the meeting unconstitutional. President Maya Sandu also attended the meeting in person.

On behalf of Romania, the meeting was attended by the heads of both chambers - Marcel Cholacu and Florin Kitsu, as well as the heads of parliamentary groups, Senate committees and the Chamber of Deputies.