Thirty Ukrainian refugees to be flown from Chisinau to Riga on Latvian president's jet
CHISINAU. April 7 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Thirty Ukrainian refugees were to be flown from Chisinau to Riga on the Latvian president's plane on Thursday, Latvian President Egils Levits said at a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
"Latvia stands ready to absorb 500 refugees from Ukraine currently staying in Moldova. The first 30 refugees will fly to Latvia on the Latvian presidential plane on April 7," Levits said.
The AirBaltic airline has accommodated a request on arranging a flight from Riga to Chisinau to carry humanitarian aid and transport refugees, Levits said.
The humanitarian cargo provided by the Latvian government in cooperation with non-governmental organizations and businesses includes foodstuffs and hygienic products for a Ukrainian refugee center.
He appreciated efforts being made by Moldovan authorities and ordinary citizens to accommodate over 96,000 refugees from Ukraine.
"We are stunned by solidarity with refugees from Ukraine displayed by Moldova. Latvia has sent a humanitarian cargo for refugees. We will continue to help Moldova handle this crisis provoked by the war in Ukraine," Levits said.
He reaffirmed Riga's support for Chisinau's European aspirations.
"Latvia completely supports Moldova, which has filed an application for European Union membership. We call on the other EU countries to support this step and speak out on this application as soon as possible. Certainly, it is for the European Commission to make a decision now, and it is expected to speak out soon, this year or even within the next few months. But we see Moldova as part of Europe. And we are sure it won't be too long before Moldova becomes an EU country," Levits said.
Moldova remains a priority partner for Latvia, he said.
As many as 363,507 Ukrainian citizens have entered Moldova since February 24, and 268,415 of them have left the country now. There are a total of 95,092 foreign citizens in Moldova, including 47,272 minors. The Moldovan Interior Ministry's Bureau of Migration and Asylum has received 6,111 applications for asylum.
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