First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Vadym Halaichuk, together with Members of Parliament and representatives of Ukrainian associations of local self-government bodies, met with a delegation of the Association of Local Authorities and the political party LOC of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Bujorean and Vitalie Marinuța.

“Understanding the importance of Moldova for Ukraine’s future and our shared European path, I am always open to dialogue with politicians from different political forces in this country. After all, Ukraine and Moldova share a common development vector, and it must be protected,” Vadym Halaichuk said during the meeting. According to him, the risks of changing this vector are currently high. “That is why we, Ukrainian parliamentarians, are working on various international platforms to ensure that Moldova’s pro-European forces receive proper support,” he noted.

The First Deputy Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU stressed the need to build close contacts with Moldova both at the interstate and community levels. “We have concrete examples of successful cooperation. A few days ago, a direct railway connection from Ukraine through Moldova to Bucharest was launched in test mode. This is a symbolic, yet at the same time practical project that confirms: we cannot implement important economic and infrastructure tasks without each other,” Vadym Halaichuk said.

During the meeting, particular attention was paid to Ukraine and Moldova’s shared European integration track. Representatives of the LOC party stressed that separating Moldova and Ukraine in the negotiation process with the EU would be unacceptable, as such a step could have serious negative consequences for both countries. Alexandru Bujorean noted that until peace comes to Ukraine and it regains control over all its territories, the tracks of Ukraine and Moldova must not be divided.