His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia welcomed President Nicusor Dan on Thursday, in the context of the Romanian head of state's visit to Chisinau in order to attend the events marking the Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova.

According to basilica.ro, the Metropolitan of Bessarabia presented the Romanian President with an icon of Holy Priest-Martyr Alexander of Bessarabia, while Nicusor Dan gave His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie a Romanian Tricolour.

'His Eminence expressed his gratitude for the assistance received from the authorities in Bucharest in strengthening the institutional capacity of the Metropolis. Numerous construction, restoration and parish community development projects have been carried out with financial support from the Romanian Government, through the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs, and with the continued support of the Romanian Patriarchate. Metropolitan Antonie presented the President with the challenges faced in the Republic of Moldova. These include the need to recover the historical heritage of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, confiscated during the Soviet occupation, the construction and restoration of places of worship, the development of educational and social-charitable institutions and the training of clergy,' the quoted source mentioned.

At the same time, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie underscored the importance of deepening cooperation with the authorities in Bucharest and Chisinau, so that the Metropolis of Bessarabia can fulfill its mission in conditions of dignity, stability and institutional equality.

'President Nicusor Dan thanked him for the warm welcome and spoke of the joy he feels every time he comes to the Republic of Moldova. The head of state expressed Romania's support for Romanian communities in Bessarabia and the readiness of institutions in Bucharest to remain close to the Metropolis of Bessarabia, so that the Romanian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Moldova can carry out its pastoral, educational and social mission with full responsibility,' the quoted source said.

President Nicusor Dan was accompanied at the meeting with Metropolitan Antonie by interim Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu, Romania's Ambassador to Chisinau Cristian-Leon Turcanu, as well as other representatives of the Romanian state institutions. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Andreea Rotaru; EN - writing by: Rodica State)

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