HM Margareta: Let's make sure that Ukraine continues to resist aggression and that Moldova remains whole and free

The development in the Middle East, the support for accession to the European Union of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine and the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area have been constant elements in the speech of the Custodian of the Crown, Margareta at the Royal Evening dedicated to the Diplomatic Corps, held at the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace.   The war in Ukraine was also among the concerns of the Royal House, highlighted by the Custodian of the Crown. The connection between the war in Ukraine and the situation in Moldova is obvious to everyone and continues, emphasized HM Margareta.   'However, long before Russian tanks violated Ukraine's sovereignity, vulnerable Moldova was already subjected to the kind of aggression and strategies that later became Ukraine's fate.Moldova survived, but remained relatively poor and very vulnerable. And precisely when it elected a pro-Western leader and a government determined to eliminate corruption and strengthen democratic institutions, the invasion of Ukraine placed Moldova in an extremely dangerous situation' said HM Margareta.   She emphasided that 'we absolutely need to combat the air of hopelessness that threatens to paralyse our thinking about European security agreements at the moment'.   ' And we can do by focusing on three interrelated approaches. Yes, the war in Ukraine shows no signs of ending. And, yes, our hopes from earlier this summer that the tide of war was turning in Ukraine's direction have not proved to be what they expected. But let us never forget Ukraine's courage and success in continuing to stand up to the aggressor. We should stand by Ukraine as long as they want, because the alternatives are simply too dire to contemplate. Second, Russia's attempt to destabilize Moldova will continue to increase, almost inversely proportional to the struggles in Ukraine. Ensuring that Moldova remains firmly committed to its European integration policy is inseparable from ensuring that Ukraine prevails in its defense; the two are sides of the same coin.And finally, we must remember that, in parallel with the rejection of Russian aggression, the only way to ensure stability and prosperity is to continue the integration of Ukraine and Moldova and- at the moment accordingly, and of Georgia - in the European Union and in any other European Union and in any other European security or cooperation structure. If these structures are good for us, they are good for them; it's that simple', urged HM Margareta.   She also mentioned that the objective she assumed, with the support of both the government of Romania and the government of the Republic of Moldova is that to ensure that   'the Republic of Moldova is not consumed by the tragedy that affects now Ukraine, that its reforming government is supported in reaching its objectives and that the Moldova people is allowed to decide their own future, instead of having it determined by others'.   The Crown Custodian expressed her hope that 'the long debate regarding Romania and Bulgaria's accession to Schengen will be resolved' as 'there is no objective justification for the continuation of this discussion'.   The ambassador of Lebanon to Bucharest, Rana Mokaddem, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Romania, presented to the Royal Family ' the warmest wishes for well-being and happiness'.   Noting that 'we were hit by the first disastrous war in Europe in 2022 and then the second disastrous war in the Middle East this year' which generated  'immense suffering for thousands of human lives, innocent civilians, including women and children and huge infrastructure disasters', the Lebanese diplomat called for 'return to diplomacy, to international law, to justice'.   Rana Mokaddem expressed his hope that Romania, which 'has a lot to offer (...) as a bridge between East and West' will join the Schengen Area, stating that he wants this to happen ' very soon'.   The event was attended by ambassadors and diplomats accredited in Romania, HRH Prince Radu, Princess Sofia, as well as representatives of the Romanian Parliament, the Presidential Administration, the ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense.   The Royal Evenings in honour of the Diplomatic Corps began in 1866, in the first year of the reign of the Sovereign Prince Charles I. Since that year, around every New Year, Kings Charles I, Ferdinand, Charles II and Michael I have kept uninterrupted the tradition of honouring diplomatic ties between Romania and the countries of the world.   After an interruption of five decades, King Michael I resumed the tradition of the annual Royal Evenings of the Diplomatic Corps in December 1997, in Bucharest. The Custodian of the Crown has personally hosted these events, continuously, since 2009. The evenings took place at Elisabeta Palace, in the Hall of Honour of Peles Castle and, since 2016, in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace.