Mattarella is expeted in Moldova and Romania

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 15 - A double mission of Italy's President Sergio Mattarella is about to start to one of Europe's most focused areas: Mattarella will be from Monday June 17 to Wednesday June 19 in Chisinau and Bucharest.
    The visit to Moldova is particularly important for the country's geopolitical position and raises attention being the first ever by an Italian head of state.
    Mattarella thus continues to build his relations always focusing on strengthening of the European Union. Italy's President has long been pushing for enlargements to countries seeking entry such as, first of all, those in the Western Balkans. His visit to Moldova represents a gesture of attention to the eastern part of Europe.
    Romania and Moldova are two Ukraine-bordering countries, and fears of Russian aggression encroaching beyond Kiev are tangible even among the population. The positions of Bucharest and Chisinau are quite different: Romania has already been enjoying the EU's protective umbrella for years whereas Moldova is suspended in the middle ground and is pushing to join the EU as a precautionary measure.
    Mattarella will land Monday afternoon in Chisinau, then he's going to visit the Palace of the Republic welcomed by President Sandu. On Tuesday 18 morning he will see Sandu again, with whom there will be a new bilateral discussion. After moving to Bucharest, Mattarella will meet the following day with President Klaus Iohannis, who is at the end of his term. (ANSA).