Baltic leaders sign declaration in support of Moldova's EU accession

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and his Latvian and Estonian counterparts signed a joint declaration in Chisinau on Tuesday in support of Moldova's accession to the European Union.

The declaration underscores support for Moldova's Euro-integration, emphasizes the country's importance for the security and stability of the region, and expresses readiness to develop bilateral relations with Moldova, the Lithuanian president's office said in a press release.

"We (...) recognize the significant progress Moldova has made on its path towards European integration. We commend the steadfast efforts of the Moldovan people and their leadership in advancing democratic reforms, upholding the rule of law, and promoting human rights," the document reads.

Moldova will hold a referendum on EU membership on October 20, 

A Lithuanian parliamentary delegation, consisting of MPs Andrius Mazuronis, Valentinas Bukauskas, Rasa Petrauskiene, Mindaugas Skritulskas and Algirdas Stonkaitis, has also been visiting Moldova since Monday to express their support for the country's Euro-integration aspirations.

The EU granted Moldova, along with Ukraine, candidate status in 2022 and launched accession negotiations this summer. Both countries applied to join the bloc shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Georgia obtained candidate status in December 2023.

The EU has agreed to start accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and has opened talks with Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia.