PM Bolojan and Moldovan President Sandu issue joint message of solidarity

President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, stated that solidarity with Romania and peace in their countries were the central message of Friday's meeting with interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.The leader in Chisinau believes that the drone attack in Galati represents 'a serious violation of Romanian airspace', which 'constitutes further evidence of the terrible effects of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine on the entire region'.'We are all thinking of those who suffered as a result of the attack by a Russian drone on a residential block in Galati. This serious violation of Romanian airspace constitutes further evidence of the terrible effects of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine on the entire region. The attacks and the drones are a direct consequence of the war - a war that destroys lives, affects regional security and endangers peace throughout our region. We all want to live in safety, without explosions, without drones and without fear. The truth must be stated clearly: Russia is the one that has brought the war closer to our homes. In an increasingly difficult context, it is essential for the Republic of Moldova and Romania to continue strengthening their cooperation for peace,' Maia Sandu wrote on Facebook.Sandu and Bolojan jointly attended a debate on administrative matters held in front of the Government headquarters, after which the two held talks at the Presidency headquarters.Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was on a visit to the Republic of Moldova on Friday, where he also met the head of the government in Chisinau, Alexandru Munteanu. He informed Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu of the measures taken by the authorities in Bucharest to strengthen Romania's defence capabilities following the serious incident caused by a Russian drone in Galati, which he described as "unacceptable"."It is quite a serious incident which unfortunately resulted in the drone crashing into a residential apartment block and injuring the occupants of the flat concerned, something that is unacceptable and a situation we condemned unequivocally this morning," Bolojan said during his meeting with his Moldovan counterpart.He informed Prime Minister Munteanu that the Romanian authorities had requested counter-drone military equipment from NATO."We have asked NATO to provide military equipment that would allow us, on the one hand, to detect drones flying at low altitude, because we are due to acquire these radar systems through the SAFE programme, but they are expected to be delivered over the coming months and up to two years from now," Bolojan said.He added that Romania had also requested air defence systems from NATO."In order to shoot them down, the aerial equipment we currently possess is disproportionate to the realities on the ground. These are important issues that I hope we will resolve in the coming period in order to protect our citizens," Bolojan noted.He stressed the importance of defence on NATO's Eastern Flank, given the war in Ukraine."In this part of the world, we know what our neighbourhood is like and the complicated situation we face as a result of the war in Ukraine, and that applies to both Romania and Moldova. We are dealing with circumstances that are worrying from every point of view. That is the reality," Bolojan said. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Munteanu, on Friday, expressed his 'concern and outrage' over the incident in Galati, where a drone crashed into a residential block, leaving two people injured.He made the statement at the end of a meeting with Romania's interim Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, adding that the Republic of Moldova and Romania will work together to strengthen the resilience of both states in the context of the war launched by the Russian Federation.'Unfortunately, we are living in an unpredictable world, and we have expressed our concern and outrage over what happened overnight with the drone that struck peaceful citizens. I, who experienced the war in Ukraine in Kyiv, will never forget the morning of February 24, 2022. Unfortunately, the war is coming closer, and we will work together on our resilience, and we will continue to work with our partners in Europe,' Munteanu said.   Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan interrupted his visit to the Republic of Moldova in order to return to Romania in the context of the emergency situation that arose after a military drone crashed into a residential block in the municipality of Galati.According to official sources, the head of the Government in Bucharest returned to Romania aboard a military aircraft.Ilie Bolojan has been on a visit to the Republic of Moldova on Friday. He held talks with Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu and took part in a debate on administrative issues. Afterwards, Bolojan met President Maia Sandu.He had also been scheduled to visit the new headquarters of Stauceni Town Hall and the Stauceni Educational and Cultural Centre to see a local development project implemented with support from the Romanian Government.The programme had also included a visit, together with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Munteanu, to the French Alliance in the Republic of Moldova/French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Republic of Moldova, as well as a trip to the "Serghei Lunchevici" National Philharmonic.(Photo: www.gov.ro)