European Parliament President highlights importance of preparing for EU enlargement, extending support to Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova

European Parliament  President Roberta Metsola on Tuesday highlighted the importance of preparing for the European Union's enlargement and extending support to Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

In her remarks following her reelection, Metsola noted the role of parliamentary diplomacy in “defending multilateralism” and facilitating the bloc’s enlargement.

This is the parliamentary diplomacy that will be essential as we defend multilateralism and prepare for enlargement of our European Union. As people look to us in Ukraine, in Moldova, in Georgia, for all those in the Western Balkans who have been denied progress for too long - we must be ready to extend Europe’s hand as they each follow their own paths in a merit-based approach that respects the necessary criteria. We must be ready to face this new world and this new reality. And, together, we will be ready”, she said.

Metsola was reelected after winning 562 votes in the first round of voting at the Parliament’s inaugural plenary sitting in Strasbourg on Tuesday.