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Moldova pledges support for refugees, as it pushes for EU membership

Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, third from right, meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Chisinau, Moldova on March 6.

06 March 2022 17:25 (UTC +04:00)

Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said her country is “firmly committed” to European integration and stressed her desire for the nation to obtain European Union membership, APA reports citing CNN.

Gavrilita made the remarks in a news conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau. Secretary Blinken is traveling in the country to meet with government officials during the refugee crisis stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

According to Gavrilita, more than 230,000 people have crossed over the Moldovan border from Ukraine, with 120,000 staying in the country.

“For a small country like Moldova proportionately this is a very large number. And managing such an influx because only been possible because of the extraordinary solidarity shown by every person, every company, every nongovernmental organization. Everybody has come together to host to provide shelter to provide food to provide assistance to those who are fleeing war,” she said.

Gavrilita also added that the country was continuing its pursuit of EU membership, saying: "we have submitted our application on the third of March"

"And as we embark on this journey, we know that we can count on the friendship on the strong support with the United States.”