Maia Sandu says the Republic of Moldova would be safer united with Romania, but the decision must be supported by a majority of citizens

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu said Friday at the Chisinau Security Forum that her country would be safer if it united with Romania, but such a decision could only be made with the support of a majority of citizens.

During the forum’s first panel, Maia Sandu said that the debate over Unification began on the very first day of the Republic of Moldova’s independence. She cited the historical context of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and explained that supporters of reunification base their arguments on identity, historical, economic and security considerations.

However, the president noted that, according to opinion polls, there is currently no majority in favor of Unification. By contrast, a majority of citizens supports the Republic of Moldova joining the European Union.

Maia Sandu stressed that European integration, although it does not represent a defense union, could increase the Republic of Moldova’s level of security. She also recalled the declaration adopted by the Romanian Parliament in 2018, on the centenary of the Great Union, as well as the political debates held over the years on reunification.

The president reiterated that any possible decision regarding Unification belongs to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, and that the will of the majority must be respected.