Moldovan parliament speaker, EU representatives discuss European integration

Chisinau, 30 October /MOLDPRES/ - The European Parliament will ratify the Moldova-EU Association Agreement in November. Statements to this effect were made at a today's meeting of Parliament Speaker Igor Corman with a delegation of lawmakers, members of the European Parliament's  Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported. 

"The ratification of the Association Agreement by the European Parliament in next mid-November is a signal of additional support for Moldova and our citizens," Igor Corman said. At the same time, MEP Sergei Stanishev voiced hope that, on 13 November, the European Parliament would ratify the Association Agreement with Moldova with an overwhelming majority. 

The discussions were focused on the progress Moldova has made in getting closer to EU, domestic political situation in the context of the next November parliamentary polls, importance to continue the dialogue with Russia, evolutions in the region. 

"Our citizens understand that there is no other way of development but the European integration, and after the elections, we want to have sound political forces at rule and a pro-European parliamentary majority, that are to continue the course of association with EU," the speaker said.  

For their part, the European MPs members of the S&D group reconfirmed the backing for Moldova and its European course. 

"The European integration means a better future for all Moldova's citizens, both at the social and economic levels, and the politicians must explain the citizens this fact," a German MP, Vice President of the Group of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Knut Fleckenstein, said.  

Bulgarian MEP, President of the Party of European Socialists Sergei Stanishev and the former  foreign minister of Bulgaria, Kristian Vigenin, emphasised that they would take efforts to get additional support for Moldova on behalf of Bulgaria. "We will try to help you, so that, step by step, you convey the European integration message in a way understandable by the citizens," Vigenin said. 

Attending the meeting was also a Romanian MEP, president of the the delegation of the European Parliament to the Moldova-EU Cooperation Committee, Andi Cristea.