EPC Summit in Moldova Hailed as ‘Sign of European Solidarity’

Moldova is hosting the summit of the European Political Community, EPC, which will be attended on Thursday by 50 European heads of state and government and other high-ranking European officials.

The EPC is a pan-European governmental forum established in May 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It brings together European leaders to discuss solutions to Europe's most pressing issues, such as energy security, stability and resilience.

At this summit, all the main topics of discussion will be related to security and defence in the context of Russia's aggression in Ukraine, energy and energy security, and interconnectivity.

"It is an important day for Europe. We are proud to have managed to bring the entire continent here today. Ukraine and the restoration of peace on the continent are the main issues on the agenda. This event is important because it will build trust among the leaders of the continent," the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said.

She thanked Ukrainian soldiers for keeping "Moldova safe" - meaning safe from Russia, and invited European partners to invest in Moldova and Ukraine' and "believe in the democracies of Kyiv and Chisinau."

The first guest to arrive at the summit in Chisinau was Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, who declared that "Ukrainians support Moldova" and thanked Moldova for welcoming Ukrainian refugees. He said that Ukraine stands "shoulder to shoulder with the Moldovan people".

"What is important is our feature in the EU, and Ukraine is ready when NATO will be ready to have Ukraine. I believe that security guarantees are important not only for Ukraine but for Moldova too," Zelensky said.

Romania's President, Klaus Iohannis, said the summit was "an opportune moment to show that...