New Romanian leader chooses Moldova for first foreign visit

Romanian president Klaus Iohannis was scheduled to visit Moldova on 22-23 January 2015, in his first official visit since becoming Romania's president.

The victory of the pro-European political parties in the Moldovan elections, which took place in November 2014 [click here for more information on this election] generated messages of encouragement and support from several Romanian officials including Mr Iohannis, but also from the Prime Minister Victor Ponta and the outgoing president Traian Băsescu.

On the last day of the Moldovan electoral campaign, Mr Iohannis had delivered a speech in Chisinau, where he encouraged Moldovan citizens to choose a European future for their country, stating that no country was more important for Romania than Moldova.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Commission regrets Băsescu’s ‘bigger Romania’ statements http://www.europeansources.info/record/commission-regrets-basescus-bigger-romania-statements/

ESO: Background information: Romanian presidential election, 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/romanian-presidential-election-2014/

Balkan Insight, 08.01.15: Iohannis Pencils in Visit to Moldova http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/iohannis-pencils-in-visit-to-moldova

Blog: BlogActiv.eu: Lulea Marius Dorin, 19.01.15: Russia imposes a new leadership in the Republic of Moldova http://luleamariusdorin.blogactiv.eu/2015/01/19/russia-imposes-a-new-leadership-in-the-republic-of-moldova/

EurActiv, 02.03.15: Iohannis visits Moldova, discusses regional security http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/iohannis-visits-moldova-discusses-regional-security-312511

EUObserver [Analysis], 05.03.15: A union between Moldova and Romania: On the cards? https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/127824

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