Ukraine and Moldova call on European countries to stop Nord Stream-2 pipeline
The Speakers of the Parliaments of Ukraine and Moldova signed an open letter to the Chairmen of the Parliaments of the European countries calling the Nord Stream-2 pipeline “a destabilizing factor”, as reported by the press service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. In particular, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Andriy Parubiy, and the speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Andrian Candu, recognized the Nord Stream-2 as Russia’s attempt to weaken Ukraine and Moldova.
"In this letter, the Nord Stream-2 project was recognized as a destabilizing factor and the attempt by the Russian leadership to influence European countries, and weaken our countries,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stated. “As I said, on March 10-11, this letter will also be signed by the speakers of Lithuania and Poland. This letter will, in fact, be a letter from three speakers. This is actually the case when we can speak with one voice."
On Friday, during a meeting with Andrian Candu, Parubiy noted that Ukraine and Moldova should create a more active relationship. Parubiy stressed that "we are not a gray zone, we are the shield, we are in the frontline, and apart from the requirements imposed on us, we need our voice to be heard and we should do everything to ensure more understanding of our situation. When we act and speak together, our voice will be stronger," he noted. He added that the cooperation should concern not only our countries but all of Russia’s neighboring countries, from the Baltic States to the Black Sea.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada noted that during the last "Ukraine – Poland – Lithuania" Parliamentary Assembly, the idea of writing a common letter regarding the destructive role of the Nord Stream-2 project was discussed. Parubiy thanked the speaker of Moldova for their readiness to join them in signing the letter. He also noted that the speakers of Lithuania and Poland will add their signatures on March 11th in Vilnius where they will have a bilateral meeting. "I am sure, such action will show the position of the whole region concerning projects that influence European policy," he added. The speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, in turn, stressed that they will support all initiatives proposed and they condemn the annexation of the Crimea and Russia’s military actions in eastern Ukraine. "We fully appreciate Ukraine’s position regarding the implementation of the projects that were proposed last year. We are ready to cooperate in the implementation of reforms, in particular, in the area of combating corruption as part of an anti-corruption court," he stressed.