Official welcoming ceremony at the First Courtyard of Prague Castle – President Petr Pavel and President Maia Sandu
Text: H.E. Mr. Alexandru Codreanu, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova and Martina Hošková; Photo: Archive
The official visit of the President of the Republic of Moldova, H.E. Mrs. Maia Sandu, to the Czech Republic contributed significantly to the development of the bilateral political dialogue, and to the boost of cooperation in many other spheres.
During the official visit to the Czech Republic on 15-17th October 2023, President Maia Sandu discussed the Moldovan-Czech partnership, as well as the process of the Republic of Moldova‘s accession to the European Union, with senior officials. President Sandu held meetings with President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil, and President of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová. The discussions focused on ways to develop bilateral relations, increase trade and Czech investments in the economy of the Republic of Moldova, and ongoing Czech development assistance projects.
Official meeting of President Maia Sandu and President Petr Pavel, accompanied by delegations, at Prague Castle
Keynote speech by H.E. Mrs. Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova at the opening plenary session of the “Forum 2000” international conference
In addition to bilateral relations, the interlocutors discussed the reforms carried out by the Moldovan authorities in order to modernize the country and speed up the initiation of EU accession negotiations.„Just as the Czech Republic sought to consolidate its progress when it joined the EU, so do we. European integration will strengthen our democratic and economic achievements“, said President Sandu during the joint press conference with her Czech counterpart.
The official visit of the Head of State to the Czech Republic was complemented by a series of economic and cultural events dedicated to Moldova, a sort of ”Moldovan week in Prague”: the 5th meeting of the Moldovan-Czech Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, a business forum with the participation of business representatives from both countries, the first ever participation of the National Theatre “Mihai Eminescu” at the Palm Off Fest international theatre festival, and the Moldovan fine art exhibition“TransAction”at Divadlo pod Palmovkou.
President Maia Sandu and President of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová at the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
President Maia Sandu and President of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, accompanied by parliamentarians at the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
In her speech at the business forum, President Sandu, together with President Pavel, invited Czech companies to consider investment opportunities in Moldova. Almost 50 enterprises with Czech capital are already active in Moldova, and contribute to the economic development of both countries.
The Czech and Moldovan presidents also participated via keynote speeches at the opening of “Forum 2000”, an annual international conference initiated by former Czech President Václav Havel. President Sandu conveyed two important messages: democracy must prevail, and countries fighting for freedom deserve all the support from other democracies.
Highlighting the talented people originating from the Republic of Moldova, President Sandu decorated the first soloist of the Czech National Ballet, Mrs. Alina Nanu, with the honorary title„People‘s Artist“, as appreciation for her remarkable achievements.
President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the Government of the Czech Republic
While in Prague, President Sandu also visited the headquarters of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, where she spoke with several journalists about freedom of expression, the challenges of the free press, and the democratic consolidation of the countries in our region.