Xavier Bettel visited Moldova

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, together with his Belgian counterpart Maxime Prévot and Dutch Foreign Ministry's Director General for European Cooperation Heleen Bakker paid a joint visit to Chisinau on 25 August.

In the Moldovan capital, the delegation held talks with President Maia Sandu, Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi, EU Integration Minister Cristina Gherasimov, Interior Minister Daniela Misail-Nichitin, Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu, and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu.

The main topic was Moldova's accession process to the European Union. Bettel reiterated Luxembourg's support for the country's European choice, stressing that the future should be determined exclusively by Moldovan citizens.

A separate block was devoted to energy issues. Thanks to the close co-operation with the EU, Moldova is now almost completely free of dependence on Russian energy resources. To confirm this line, the delegation visited a new solar park, which has become a flagship project in the course of energy autonomy.

The visit was not limited to talks with the political leadership. The Benelux representatives also met with representatives of civil society, including youth organisations, to discuss European integration and public involvement in the process.