Sánchez shows his support for Moldova, the country that has received the most Ukrainian refugees in proportion to its population

Sánchez has held meetings with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and the Prime Minister of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilița, who have explained to him the effects of the war in Ukraine on their territory. Moldova, which borders Ukraine, has received more than 400,000 Ukrainians fleeing Putin's brutal war, making it the country that has received the most refugees in proportion to its population.

The president expressed the solidarity and support of the Spanish people for the country and visited one of the Ukrainian refugee centres.

During his speech together with the President of Moldovia, the President of the Government of Spain said, "I am in Moldova today to send a strong message of support and to reaffirm our commitment of solidarity with the Moldovan authorities and people at a time of great difficulty and international political tension. Spain stands with Moldova".

Spain's support for Moldova in the face of Putin's war

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Spain has approved a humanitarian aid package worth €31 million to alleviate the refugee crisis caused by Putin's unjust and unjustified invasion, 8 million of which is earmarked for needs in countries bordering Ukraine, such as Moldova.

"We must face the impact of war together, not only from a humanitarian point of view, but also from an economic point of view. The whole of Europe is affected, because European values are under threat. And all of Europe is united in responding in solidarity; it is our main strength to collectively build the peaceful, stable and prosperous future that our citizens want," stressed Sánchez.

Spain's humanitarian aid to Moldova includes material shipments (Moldova has already received more than 30 tonnes of food, shelter and personal hygiene kits), and contributions to international organisations through AECID, which will be handled by UNHCR, UNICEF, NGOs and international organisations such as Action Against Hunger and the International Federation of the Red Cross.

Sánchez recalled that the Government of Spain is determined to support Moldova in everything it can to overcome this crisis, both bilaterally and within the framework of the European Union.

Sánchez has shown his support for the reformist and pro-European agenda of the Moldovan government, which in March applied for EU membership, joining Ukraine and Georgia, who have also formalised their applications. The president stressed that Spain defends Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

Ukrainian refugee centre in Moldova

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The humanitarian crisis of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war has led to a mass exodus of almost 7 million Ukrainians. Of these, some 400,000 arrived in Moldova, of whom some 82,000, mostly minors, are said to have stayed remained. It is the country that has received the largest number of refugees in proportion to its population of 2.7 million.

To this effect, the president visited one of the refugee centres in Chisinau set up by the country since the beginning of the war in Ukraine to deal with the refugee crisis. An Andalusian SAMU medical team of eight people is working there: two doctors, three nurses, two health emergency technicians and a mission leader.

After the visit, Pedro Sánchez highlighted Moldova's "exemplary attitude of solidarity" in its handling of the massive influx of Ukrainians fleeing the war. Bilateral relations between Spain and Moldova.

The year 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between Spain and Moldova. With the aim of deepening these relations, this week Spain has opened a diplomatic antenna in the country's capital to potentially help boost economic and trade relations in sectors such as infrastructure, agri-food and renewable energies.

On trade, in 2020, Spanish exports exceeded €40 million in areas such as machinery and mechanical appliances, fishery products, ceramics, fruit and automobiles. Spain imports almost €43 million from Moldova in: fats, animal and vegetable oil, waste from the food industry, clothing, beverages and fruit. Spain may expand cooperation and investment in the field of infrastructure, agri-food industry and renewable energies.

Spain and Moldova maintain a sustained and excellent bilateral cooperation in domestic affairs, and relations between the two police forces are close, as are those between the Guardia Civil and the Moldovan Gendarmerie, especially in the exchange of information and the fight against terrorism and organised crime.

Non official translation