BUCHAREST, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Romania's President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that his country will always be the most constant and dedicated supporter of the Republic of Moldova.
"It is very important and symbolic that this first visit takes place in Bucharest," affirmed Iohannis, who held a joint press statement with visiting Moldovan new Prime Minister Maia Sandu.
Referring to the strategic energy interconnection projects, Iohannis said that "the bilateral projects will be centered on the need to ensure the prosperity of the Moldovan citizens and Chisinau's rapprochement to the European Union (EU)."
He expressed his belief that the EU -- in line with the commitments made to Moldova, through the Eastern Partnership, through the EU global strategy -- has to rise to the level of the Moldovan citizens, who mostly expressed their support for the European agenda.
"In the relationship with the Brussels authorities, we will be fully involved in facilitating and improving the dialogue between the Moldovan authorities and the Brussels authorities," Iohannis said.
Iohannis stressed that Romania will support "the unblocking of financial assistance" for Moldova at European level.
"We greatly need Romania's support, the more so as we are connected not just by common economic interests, but also by a common foundation of history, culture and values," the Moldovan prime minister said in her statement.
"We trust that Romania will remain by our side as a key ally of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and in our European course," she emphasized.
Sandu also said that the Moldovan government "intends to develop joint projects with Romania", and the European agenda is the guiding line for its relationship with Romania.
Sandu is on an official visit to Bucharest Tuesday -- the first foreign visit that she pays after taking office. Moldova held parliamentary elections on Feb. 24. Sandu and her coalition government won the approval of the parliament on June 8 and took office on the same day.
