Von der Leyen in Moldova ahead of EU membership referendum

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CHISINAU (Reuters) – The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met on Thursday with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, whom she came to support a few days before the presidential election and the referendum on Chisinau’s membership in the European Union (EU).

“I feel the pulse of Europe beating here,” Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on the social network X, adding that Moldova has its rightful place in the EU.

Ursula von der Leyen also posted a video of her meeting with Maia Sandu.

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu, who believes Russia is the biggest threat to her country’s security, has made EU membership the cornerstone of her administration.

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A fierce opponent of the war led by Russia in Ukraine, she obtained the organization of a referendum on membership of the EU which will take place on October 20, alongside the presidential vote.

“This visit highlights the increasingly close relations between Chisinau and Brussels,” the Moldovan president’s office said in a statement released ahead of the meeting.

Moldova began formal negotiations to join the EU in June.

Polls show Maia Sandu as the favorite in the election, also indicating that a majority of Moldovans favor joining the European Union.

Moldovan police have alleged serious Russian interference in the elections, which Moscow has disputed.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas; written by Tom Balmforth; French version by Mara Vîlcu, edited by Augustin Turpin)











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