Nauseda assures Moldovan president of Lithuania's EU membership support

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda had a phone conversation with his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu on Thursday and the two leaders talked about Lithuania's support for Moldova and Ukraine's path towards EU membership and bilateral cooperation, the presidential press service said.

During the conversation, the Lithuanian president congratulated Moldova on the positive assessment of the country’s progress towards European Union membership presented in the European Commission’s enlargement report. 

"The Moldovan people have clearly chosen a European path despite external challenges, and that their determination to implement the necessary reforms – particularly in strengthening the judicial system, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption – provides a solid foundation for further progress," Nauseda said.

The president stressed that Lithuania will continue to support the European integration processes of Moldova and Ukraine, seeking to achieve as much progress as possible by the end of this year: "Membership in the European Union is a geopolitical necessity for Moldova and Ukraine, so we must maintain the pace of reforms and seek solutions that will allow us to move forward," the Lithuanian president said. "We must maintain a united and principled position on the membership prospects of both countries. It is important to work together to ensure that no Member State blocks this process."

Further bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Moldova was also discussed during the conversation. The Lithuanian leader invited the Moldovan president to pay an official visit to Lithuania next year.