Romania openly supports the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in their European aspirations and the progress of these two countries on the path of reforms „is visible”, but „this road is not easy”, Senate President Nicolae Ciuca told the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum in Bucharest on Thursday.

„The accession of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to the EU is part of a wider process of transforming the Black Sea region into an area of military security and economic prosperity. The progress of these two countries on the path of reforms is visible, but this road is not easy,” underlined Ciuca.

He added that Romania has the expertise, knows what an accession process means and then a deep integration into European structures and the reduction of economic gaps with developed countries, expressing his confidence that both countries „have all the prerequisites” for accession.

Ciuca said that the two countries must work on several clear lines of action with a view to their EU integration.

„It is necessary to work on some clear lines of action in support of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine’s integration. Ukraine must not only defend itself, but it must win the war with Russia. Both states need support to increase their resilience and to fight Russian disinformation (…). I believe that, beyond the support you receive from external partners, it is absolutely important to determine domestic support, and I understand your fear of what propaganda means, the undermining of these traditions and feelings about the benefits that membership of the European Union can bring. As such, this is the direction in which all our efforts must be directed and we must continue, beyond the decisions that you make, to ensure that there is coordination to complement each country’s path.

AGERPRES