ForMin Aurescu: The Republic of Moldova - the most vulnerable neighbour of Ukraine

The Republic of Moldova is Ukraine's "most vulnerable" neighbour, receiving the largest number of refugees per capita, Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu told the International Support Conference for the Republic of Moldova (Moldova Support Platform), in Berlin, on Tuesday, Agerpres reports.

"The war in Ukraine, started illegally by Russia, has created many problems in the neighbourhood, not only related to the security challenges facing the region, for European and Euro-Atlantic security, but also for the countries neighbouring Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova had to face a large number of refugees," said the head of the Romanian diplomacy.

At the same time, he explained, the conflict created an "economic burden" and put the economy and finances of the Republic of Moldova in difficulty. Aurescu also mentioned issues related to the energy security of this country.

According to him, the platform, which will be launched on Tuesday, aims to "provide and stimulate aid, very robust assistance, coordinated for the Republic of Moldova," namely financial assistance, taking over refugees and looking for solutions to vulnerabilities such as energy security.

He spoke about the corridors through which refugees from Ukraine can pass from the Republic of Moldova directly to Romania and brought to mind that Romania provided fuel worth 3.4 million euros for this purpose.

Bogdan Aurescu specified that, following the conference, an additional aid will be announced, in addition to the 100 million euros part of the assistance package announced by the Romanian Government in February.

"Romania also supports the European perspective of the Republic of Moldova and, according to our Strategic Partnership for the European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, we believe that the place of this country is in the European family," the Romanian Foreign Minister added.

He co-chairs with Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, as Germany is currently holding the G7 Presidency, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, with France currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the International Support Conference for the Republic of Moldova (Moldova Support Platform), which takes place in Berlin.