Romania to back recognition of Moldova's clear European prospect at Riga Summit

Chisinau, 26 March /MOLDPRES/ - Romania will back the recognition of Moldova’s clear European prospect at the Eastern Partnership Summit due in Riga. Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu made statements to this effect at a meeting with Moldovan Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu, on a visit to Romania, on 25 March, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.

Bogdan Aurescu stressed that Moldova would present a report on results recorded during the implementation of the Association Agreement at the Riga Summit. ”It is necessary that the Moldovan authorities show the same determination in implementing reforms and recording new progress, first of all, as regards the rigorous application of the Association Agreement with the European Union, so that Moldova preserves its advanced statute within the Eastern Partnership,” Aurescu said. 

Andrian Candu reiterated the Moldovan authorities’ commitment to continue to implement reforms in order to get Moldova closer to EU and make more dynamic the ties with Romania in different areas of joint interest.

During the first day of the visit, Andrian Candu also met President of the Romanian Senate Calin Popescu-Tariceanu.

Candu thanked the Romanian authorities for the constant support provided to Moldova for the European integration. In the context, Candu requested Romania’s assistance to convey the European partners Moldova’s clear message to continue the European path and speed up the ratification of the Association Agreement by all EU member states. At the same time, Candu underlined that, by implementing the European legislation, respectively, the EU acquis, Moldova counted on the good practices and expertise transfer by experts of the Romanian Senate.

”It is important to take joint efforts to continue initiated projects, priority being energy and energy interconnection ones. Romania is a partner that was and continues to be by Moldova’s side in concrete and important projects for our citizens,” Andrian Candu said.

For his part, Calin Popescu-Tariceanu reiterated Romania’s form commitment to unconditionally back Moldova’s European path. Tariceanu assured that the EU acquis, translated into the Romanian language, would be provided to Moldova.

Also attending the meeting, Senator Titus Corlatean highlighted that the Romanian parliament would further provide expertise to the Moldovan parliament at the level of competent commissions via the Committee for European Affairs, meaning cooperation projects with concrete support, in order to implement the EU legislation.

Late last night, upon an invitation of the Romanian royal family, Andrian Candu and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis attended the official dinner served at the Peles Castle. Attending the dinner also were representatives of Moldovan and Romanian public authorities, cultural, diplomatic, sports personalities and representatives of clergy and civil society.

Andrian Candu pays an official visit to Romania on 25-26 March.

(Editor M. Jantovan)