President Dan:Republic of Moldova sets an example for the entire world by the way it defends democracy

The Republic of Moldova sets an example for Europe and the entire world by the way it defends democracy, Romanian President Nicusor Dan declared on Sunday in Chisinau, as he visited the neighboring country on the special celebration of Romanian Language Day, which saw him participate in the opening of the Grand National Dictation event alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

President Dan showed that, through their efforts for the defence of democracy, "the Moldovan people are more European than the Europeans".

"I am particularly honored to be here with you. Thank you, Madam President, for the invitation. You know that starting 2011, Romanian Language Day is officially celebrated in Romania too. (...) I confess that I am deeply moved because, as Madam President said, I have always considered the Romanian language a given. I was born, I spoke and attended school in Romanian and you, in my opinion, have set an example for the whole world through the fight you put up over time, despite all the pressures, to preserve this language and this identity. And now again, I consider you to be an example for Europe and for the entire world by the way you strive to defend democracy in the face of the same types of pressures coming from the same side, and through this you prove that you are more European than Europeans and that you belong in the European Union," Nicusor Dan underscored.

He added that beyond being an identity, the Romanian language is a responsibility for each of us.

"Romania and the Republic of Moldova are countries that share the same values, that need each other, and it is our responsibility to help each other so that these two countries have a bright future in the world we are all building together. On behalf of Romania and of my own, I convey all the friendship and openness to building these ties," the Romanian president said.

The third edition of the Grand National Dictation - an event honoring Romanian language identity - was attended by over 2,000 people who wrote a literary text by dictation. The event, held in Chisinau's Great National Assembly Square, is organized by the Republic of Moldova's Ministry of Education under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova.