Estonian, Moldovan foreign ministers tackle European integration

Chisinau, 29 April /MOLDPRES/ - Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman today met her Estonian counterpart Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry’s information and media communication service has reported.

The officials praised the high level of the bilateral dialogue, especially in the European integration area, and welcomed the first results of the implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement, including the Free Trade Area.

Estonia Foreign Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus said that Moldova was a success story within the Eastern Partnership and the liberalisation of visa regime for Moldovan citizens in the EU was a telling example of the European integration's benefits. "Estonia supports Moldova’ commitments in the European integration process, and the reforms, although very difficult, are necessary to improve the living standards of citizens", said the Estonian official.

For her part, Minister Natalia Gherman emphasised the excellent bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of agriculture, education and open governance. In this context, the head of the Moldovan diplomacy thanked Estonia for willingness to share the e-governance model with the Electronic Governance Centre of Moldova, as well as for scholarships offered by the Estonian government for Moldovan citizens, including in the diplomacy field.

"Study visits to Estonia at the level of the local public authorities represent the most effective way of taking over the Estonian experience in European integration," said the Moldovan official, praising the cooperation between regions, municipalities and cities. Moldovan and Estonian local public authorities have concluded 11 cooperation agreements.

(Editor L. Alcaza)