Moldovan parliament speaker says EU integration only solution not to disappoint citizens

Chisinau, 25 February /MOLDPRES/ - Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu has had a meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. The two officials discussed Moldova's European agenda, strengthening the bilateral relations, evolution of the domestic political situation and regional security, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported.  

The speaker gave assurances that the vector of Moldova's foreign policy stayed unchanged, and the country would continue implementing the provisions of the Association Agreement, in order to become a candidate state in the near future and subsequently EU member state. "Our only chance to develop the country and have the best practices is integration into EU. It is very important for us not to disappoint the citizens who gave us trust, as well as our European partners," Andrian Candu said.    

The Moldovan parliament speaker thanked Romania for the support provided to Moldovan citizens. "Romania gave Moldova a special support in different sectors, and we hope it will be by our side in continuation, providing us both with needed expertise and support, and as an ambassador of our European integration message to the European chancelleries and Brussels," Andrian Candu said.

For his part, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis reconfirmed Romania's support for Moldova. "For Romania, what happens in Moldova is important, and we want to stay by your side and back you," Klaus Iohannis specified.    

Referring to the domestic political situation, Andrian Candu said that the existence of a comfortable parliamentary majority, due to support the government and reforms' agenda, including in the justice area, financial and banking system, fighting corruption, was important.  The officials also discussed principal projects carried out in Moldova with Romania's support and their continuation, especially the speeding up of the works for putting into operation the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline as soon as possible. At the same time, the speaker also said the Moldovan parliament was set to take over the expertise and good practices of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies and Senate, especially in terms of implementation of the EU acquis and provisions of the Association Agreement. 

(Editor L. Alcaza)