Turkey backs Moldova's territorial integrity, sovereignty

Chisinau, 2 April /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici met Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, on an official visit to Moldova. The officials praised the ascendant evolution of ties between the two states and spoke out for strengthening the political dialogue and economic cooperation, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported. 

Chiril Gaburici welcomed the today's signing of a cooperation  protocol on general development terms and conditions between the Moldovan and Turkish governments. The document stipulates providing of technical assistance in economy, trade, infrastructure, technologies, law, public administration, education, culture and health care. 

”This is an important step for developing and consolidating the bilateral economic ties. We are also interested in continuing Moldovan-Turkish inter-ministerial political consultations, the goal of which is to deepen exchange of opinions in on up-to-date topics, such as the European agenda, cooperation in health and education sectors,” Gaburici said. 

Gaburici appreciated the investment projects implemented by the Turkish government in Moldova, including in Gagauzia, stressing that „the initiation of joint projects will contribute to modernising infrastructure and enhancing the welfare of the residents from the region”. 

The sides agreed to sign, in the near future, a Declaration on establishing a strategic partnership, that would represent a new stage in developing the bilateral ties. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu assured that the Free Trade Agreement between Moldova and Turkey, signed on 11 September 2014, would be ratified by the Turkish parliament soon. This will contribute to bolstering the economic ties. 

At the same time, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu highlighted that Turkey fully backed Moldova’s European choice. ”We are ready to provide you with aid to implement reforms in different areas. We support Moldova’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and hope that you will manage to solve the Transnistrian conflict by means of diplomatic dialogue,” Çavuşoğlu said. 

The sides welcomed the enforcement of the free visa regime between the two states, which boosted the mutual visits of Moldovan and Turkish citizens and contributed to strengthening the ties at different levels. 

Chiril Gaburici invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to visit Moldova. 

Turkey is one of Moldova’s important commercial partners, ranking seventh in the concerned top.

(Editor M. Jantovan)