Political association, economic integration midway point for Moldova's accession to full EU membership

10:03 | 21.04.2015 Category: Official

Chisinau, 21 April /MOLDPRES/ - Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman on 20 April participated in the sixth ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), which brought together EU and EaP member states’ foreign ministers in Luxembourg. The meeting was chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, European Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini. Attending the event was also European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry’s information and media communication service has reported.

The participants in the meeting reviewed the achievements of the partners and development priorities of the Eastern Partnership, in the light of the preparations for the EaP Summit, due in Riga on 21-22 May.

Minister Natalia Gherman stressed that the political association and economic integration was an intermediate step for Moldova's accession to full EU membership. The Moldovan official mentioned the need that the EU assistance be directed towards the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). At the same time, the diplomat emphasised the importance of the principle of differentiation and adjusting the EaP policy in accordance with the partners’ ambitions.

As for the Riga Declaration, Minister Natalia Gherman spoke about the necessity of adopting a visionary document to ensure the freedom of choosing the European course and to allow deepening relations with partner countries showing more commitment in implementing reforms.

The EU countries ministers expressed full solidarity with the Eastern partners and towards strengthening cooperation within the EaP, praising the implementation of Association Agreements by countries that had signed these agreements. The sides also reckoned visa liberalisation with Moldova as an important achievement.

(Editor M. Jantovan)

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