Moldovan PM, Latvian foreign minister discuss Association Agreement, bilateral ties

Chisinau, 26 March /MOLDPRES/- Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici today met Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs. The officials discussed issues of the Eastern Partnership Summit, due in Riga on 21-22 May, implementing the provisions of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement and situation in the region, the government's communication and media relations department has reported.

"We hope that the Riga Eastern Partnership Summit will move us closer to meeting our goal of European integration, which is priority of the government 's action programme. In this respect, we are committed to speed up reforms in more sectors, thus ensuring the country's economic growth", the prime minister noted.

For his part, the Latvian official said the Riga event would strengthen the support provided to the countries interested in deepening the relations with EU. "The Association Agreement is not the final point in the Moldova-EU relations, and the Eastern Partnership Summit has to prove this", he said.

Edgars Rinkēvičs reiterated the importance of continuing the fight against corruption, justice reform, ensuring transparency and stability in the financial and banking system. At the same time, the official opted for Latvia providing support to promote projects on modernising Moldova.

The officials expressed willingness to boost cooperation ties in such sectors as: public administration, border integrated management, education.

Other issues were focused on the country's energy security, extending the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline to Chisinau.

Latvia has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union Council starting from 1 January 2015.

(Editor M. Jantovan)