Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu visited Chișinău on Tuesday to meet Moldovan President Maia Sandu and other top officials, reaffirming Romania’s support for Moldova’s security, economic development, and European integration.
Niculescu, on his first foreign trip since taking office, met Sandu, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu. He emphasized deepening bilateral ties, calling the relationship one of “soul” built on shared history, language, and culture. Both sides stressed the need for close coordination to address regional security threats, including drone incursions and hybrid attacks, and to advance Moldova’s EU accession .
Concrete projects dominated the agenda. Niculescu and Tofan discussed accelerating infrastructure links, including the Vulcănești–Chișinău power line and the Ungheni bridge, to boost energy independence and trade. They also visited the Chișinău power station, a key step in reducing reliance on external energy pressure .
Sandu highlighted the need for stronger air defense cooperation, citing Russian drone and missile violations of Moldovan and Romanian airspace. She condemned recent Russian strikes on civilian ships in the Black Sea, including in Romanian waters, and pledged to intensify information-sharing and early-warning systems .
Niculescu reiterated Romania’s “firm commitment” to Moldova’s EU path, calling its place in the bloc “undoubted.” He pledged continued political and technical support, including expertise to align Moldovan laws with EU standards, and urged the opening of the final two negotiation clusters by year’s end .
Tofan called Romania Moldova’s “closest friend” and stressed joint efforts to build a future where the Prut River “remains just a river, not a border separating two Romanian states.” He cited €4.5 billion in annual trade and deep economic ties, with Romanian investment playing a growing role in Moldova’s development .
