The president of the Republic of Moldova on Saturday received the Timişoara for European values award from this city in western Romania. Maia Sandu is the first recipient of this distinction which is to honour international public figures who promote or defend European values. In her speech before several hundred people, Maia Sandu said the award represents not so much a personal recognition, but the appreciation for how the citizens of Moldova are defending their right to live in peace, freedom and democracy. She emphasised that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine showed that democracy can be fragile and that European and human values can be trampled on. She also reiterated that Moldova is determined to pursue its European path. „The jury recognises the immense efforts the recipient made to put Moldova on course for Europe. Just like Moldova needs the European Union, so Europe needs Moldova”, said the mayor of Timişoara Dominic Fritz in his speech.
