Moldovan foreign minister meets European Commission official

Chisinau, 26 March /MOLDPRES/ - Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman met European Commission Eastern Neighbourhood Director Gerhard Schumann-Hitzler, who is paying a visit to Chisinau, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry’s information and media communication service has reported.

Minister Natalia Gherman thanked for the EU assistance in the implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement and reiterated the commitment of the authorities to continue the reform programme to modernise the country.

"We will make every effort to fully turn into account the EU support in successfully carrying out the implementation of the reforms initiated," said Natalia Gherman. Furthermore, the Moldovan official mentioned the need to provide further technical and financial assistance on the basis of the more for more principle, especially for the implementation of the Free Trade Area, including Transnistria.

For his part, the European Commission representative said the EU would continue to support the reform process by implementing large programmes in areas of major importance for Moldova's development, such as agriculture, energy, home affairs and justice. To this effect, the officials welcomed the signing of the financing agreement in agriculture and rural development (ENPARD), worth 64 million euros, funds aimed at modernising the agricultural sector and increasing access of Moldovan products to the EU market.

In the context of the European partners’ support for the implementation of the Association Agreement, the sides praised the EU High Level Experts Mission’s activity in Moldova in 2010. Taking into account the contribution of these experts to advancing the country's European agenda, the sides agreed to extend the mission’s mandate for a new term.

(Editor M. Jantovan)