Zelensky, Sandu make joint statement

Ukraine and Moldova state the need for further cooperation in the energy sector and emphasize the importance of increasing the reliability and diversifying the supply of electricity and energy, according to a joint statement made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu.

Zelensky and Sandu signed the statement in Kyiv on Tuesday, January 12, the Ukrainian president's press service reported.

"We state the need for further cooperation in the energy sector in order to strengthen energy security in the region. We believe it is important to increase the reliability and diversify the supply of electricity and energy, as well as to ensure greater transparency in the energy sector," the document reads.

Zelensky said that there was already a lot of work to be done to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

"We are talking about increasing the volume of Moldovan natural gas being stored in Ukrainian storage facilities, a project for the transit of European gas through Moldova to Ukraine, resuming electricity supply to Moldova and the transit of electricity from Ukraine to Romania, which will pass through Moldova," he said.

In addition, Zelensky said that during his talks with Sandu, the sides emphasized the importance of citizens crossing the common border on ID cards.

Zelensky also said that he had discussed with Sandu the joint fight against smuggling at the common border, especially in the Transdniestrian section of the border.

Sandu is in Kyiv on January 12. This is her first official visit since being elected President of Moldova.

op