Moldovan foreign minister attends V4+EaP meeting

Chisinau, 15 May /MOLDPRES/ - Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman participated in a meeting of Foreign Ministers of Visegrad Group and Eastern Partnership (V4 + EaP) today. Attending the event were also High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, as well as the Latvian, Romanian and Swedish foreign ministers, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry’s information and media communication service has reported.

The talks were focused on the role of reforms in consolidating EaP and the importance of the Riga Summit in the context of reviewing the European neighbourhood policy. The officials also approached the regional situation and energy security.

Natalia Gherman underlined the importance of reforms in Moldova 's advancing on the European integration path and reviewed the results of the implementation of the Association Agreement, including the Free Trade Area, starting from 1 September 2014 and so far. 

Gherman also spoke out for a differentiated approach of EaP states, depending on their goal in relationship with EU. „The differentiation will be best mirrored by recognizing the European prospect for the states able and willing to implement the reforms agenda,” Natalia Gherman said.

At the end of the meeting, the ministers adopted a joint declaration, in which they highlighted the sovereign right of EaP states to decide the level of ambition in relationship with the European Union and their willingness to individually structure the bilateral ties.

The V4 + EaP meeting was organised by the Slovak Foreign Ministry, as Slovakia holds the rotating presidency of the Visegrad Group.

Also in Bratislava, Natalia Gherman took part in the 25th meeting of the Council of GUAM (Organisation for Democracy and Economic Development) Foreign Ministers. The officials addressed the political cooperation, sectoral development, economic cooperation, regional security and organisational issues. In particular, the ministers welcomed the adoption of the resolution of the General Assembly on cooperation between GUAM and UN during the 69th session. 

The participants especially approached GUAM cooperation with international organisations and GUAM+ partner states. The officials also voiced intention to further develop cooperation with Visegrad Group and approved the text of a platform for negotiations in this format.

(Editor L. Alcaza)