Let me start by saying just one word: incredible.

What you have achieved over the past two and a half years has simply been that: incredible.

When I first came to Moldova, in March 2022, two weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I remember the volunteers at the border who were handing out food and tea to the many Ukrainians arriving here.

I asked one of them: Where do you usually work?

He said: “I actually work at the Ministry of Internal Affairs”.

Because the whole Government was there.

Moldova, this small country with a big heart, hosted more than 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees.

You, President Sandu, Maia, and the people of Moldova, opened your homes, your schools, and your hearts to your Ukrainian neighbours.

And when we offered you our help to let these Ukrainians reach other destinations in Europe, you made it clear that if these people, your neighbours, wanted to stay here, they would be able to stay.

Close to their homes, their language, their culture.

To this day, more than 150,000 Ukrainians remain here in the country – that’s 5 percent of Moldova’s population.

We, the bigger European countries, will always remember that.

When Putin launched his invasion in 2022, his aggression not only targeted Ukraine, it targeted Moldova as well. It targeted us Europeans.

Moldova, which at the time received 100 percent of its gas imports from Russia.

And which faced inflation rates of almost 30 percent because of Putin’s war.

I remember, President Sandu, at your office half the lights were off. Because you said: “When my people have to suffer, the Government also has to make sacrifices.”

You, President Sandu, once described this as a “make or break moment”.

But Moldova didn’t break. Because of your leadership.

Because the people of Moldova stood together.

Throughout these past months, your spirit, your response, has been driven by one principle: not to complain, but to act.

This has deeply impressed me and I guess many others who are here today.

You have showed us what we can do if we stand together.

That together, we can achieve incredible things. Even in the hardest times of crisis.

From day one of Russia’s aggression, we gathered diplomatic support to prevent Moldova from collapsing.

40 days after Russia’s invasion, just weeks after my first visit here, we launched the Moldova support platform in Berlin, together with our friends from France and Romania.

And I would like to thank Minister Stéphane Séjourné and Minister Luminița Odobescu for our cooperation on this platform.

Because we knew that Moldova is one of the front lines in the defence of our freedom and our European democracy.

And today?

Today, inflation rates have dropped to five percent.

Moldova no longer receives a single cubic metre of gas from Russia.

The Government is implementing much-needed reforms – modernising its judicial system and countering corruption.

That’s why we have adapted this platform.

From crisis reaction during the first months to resilience and long-term strategic partnership.

It’s not about supporting but partnering.

Partnering as Europeans.

Partnering with a country whose future lies in the European Union.

Since 14 December 2023, negotiations have been under way on Moldova’s EU membership. A historic step. An incredible step.

And the exact opposite of what Putin wanted.

Moldova didn’t break. Moldova became a European candidate country.

You, Madam President, and the Moldovan people, have proved to be one of the strongest countries in this time of crisis.

And you have proved to be one of the strongest female leaders in seeing this through. An incredible leader.

Because we all know what Russia’s hybrid warfare means.

As women, we know that fake news and lies have a special dimension in their targeting of women. And you have shown special female resistance, which we can only applaud.

According to Moldova’s Information and Security Service, in 2023 alone, Russia illegally funnelled more than 55 million dollars into influencing elections and buying votes here, in this country.

That is why we need to keep up our efforts.

To me, three aspects are particularly important in this regard:

First, we need to further develop this Platform into a lasting Partnership Platform.

That’s why we reduced the number of working groups of the platform and said, let’s focus our efforts on areas where they make the biggest difference – like energy security, countering corruption and fostering economic strength.

Second, we are continuing to support Moldova’s reform path toward the European Union.

The last years have shown that we cannot afford “grey zones” in Europe.

Therefore, we are training Moldovan civil servants in EU law.

We are advising the agriculture sector from Chisinau to Balti and Bender on how to adapt to new standards – also with regard to the climate crisis.

And we are working with IT experts and officials to make Moldovan IT infrastructure safe from hacking attacks.

Together with our partners from France and Poland, we have prioritised support for Moldova in the agenda of the Weimar Triangle for the upcoming new European term.

My third point is: We will continue to stand firm against Russian aggression.

By supporting Ukraine – with weapons, and humanitarian aid, and through our diplomatic efforts.

For our Ukrainian friends and their freedom.

For Moldova’s freedom and our European freedom.

You’ve made it crystal clear: the biggest threat for Moldova’s economy is Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Of course, this war will eventually have to end, with negotiations. Everything we do is aimed at creating the conditions for Ukraine to live in peace again.

But so far, Russia has responded to every new offer of steps towards peace with more bombs and more aggression.

Ukraine needs peace. It needs a just and lasting peace. Not a peace dictated by Russia. Because if such a peace were just about giving Russia a breather, Putin would use that pause to prepare the next attack – and the next target could be us – it could be you.

President Sandu, Prime Minister, these are decisive months for your country.

That is why we are here today.

But just as in 2022, Moldova is not alone.

We are united here today and we are united in the future.

We stand by your side.

So that the people of Moldova can choose their own path.

Their own, incredible future.

A European future in peace, prosperity and democracy.