Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Officials in the federal institutions in Brussels praised the results of the referendum that took place yesterday in Moldova. A statement issued by the Office of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the European Union said: "On Sunday 20 October, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova exercised their democratic right to vote in the first round of the presidential elections and the referendum on enshrining EU accession in their constitution.

The European Union commends the authorities for organizing the electoral process and the referendum in accordance with democratic standards.

The European Union welcomes the result of the referendum. The citizens of the Republic of Moldova have made a historic choice to consolidate their future within the European Union, despite the massive interference and hybrid campaign launched by Russia and its proxies to undermine the democratic vote in Moldova. This vote reflects their aspirations for a peaceful, independent, stable, democratic and prosperous Moldova.

The European Union condemns the unprecedented malicious interference by Russia in the presidential elections and constitutional referendum in Moldova. We will continue to support the resilience of the Republic of Moldova and its progress on its path to EU accession.

This came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: Line "Moldova has shown that it wants a European future, following the support of Moldovan voters for a referendum on the country's accession to the European Union."
The President of the European Commission, according to what was reported by the British Sky News channel, today, Monday, congratulated the Moldovan people and the current president of the country, Maia Sandu, on the result of the referendum. She added: "Moldova has shown its independence and strength and that it wants a European future, in the face of the mixed tactics carried out by Russia."
The referendum vote was held yesterday, Sunday, in conjunction with the first round of the presidential elections, the results of which showed the current president of the country and supporter of joining the European Union, Maia Sandu, leading by obtaining 42% of the voters' votes.
It is noteworthy that Moldova applied for membership in the European Union following the Russian military operation in Ukraine, and obtained the status of a candidate for membership in the Union in 2022, and Brussels officially agreed last June to start its accession negotiations.