Latvia fully supports the swift accession of Moldova to the European Union (EU), stated Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Wednesday during a meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who arrived on a visit to Riga.
Rinkēvičs noted that in 2024, together with other presidents of the Baltic states, he visited Moldova to support its course towards EU membership. "Latvia's support for Moldova - both political and practical - has been, is, and will remain firm and unwavering," the president said.
Rinkēvičs listed the areas of practical cooperation between Latvia and Moldova. The Ministry of Agriculture provides support to the Ministry of Agriculture of Moldova in implementing EU legislation, the Ministry of Justice helps strengthen the intellectual property system, and the State Border Guard strengthens Moldova's borders by providing necessary technologies and sharing expertise. Cooperation is also taking place at the level of higher education institutions.
The president emphasized that in 2025, Moldova effectively overcame hybrid attacks from Russia before the parliamentary elections, and this experience is particularly important for Latvia. Rinkēvičs noted that experts from Latvia and Moldova will continue to exchange information on election security issues.
"Our main task, as well as Moldova's, is to ensure that the elections are legitimate and that there are no doubts about this," Rinkēvičs said.
For her part, Sandu noted that Moldova's membership in the EU would enhance Europe's security. She emphasized that the European Commission considers Moldova the best candidate due to the results achieved, and over the past three years, the country's residents have twice voted for the European path under significant pressure. Moldova has reformed its judicial system, strengthened its fight against corruption, and implemented EU standards, the president added, urging Latvia to support Moldova's accession to the European Union.
The leaders of the two countries also discussed the security situation in the region. Rinkēvičs noted that Moldova, bordering Ukraine, directly feels the consequences of Russian aggression - drones and missile debris occasionally fall on its territory. Sandu, for her part, added that Moldova is hosting Ukrainians, providing humanitarian aid, and training specialists in demining.
