Moldovan speaker, EU commissioner discuss regional cooperation

Chisinau, 16 November /MOLDPRES/-Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu held a meeting with European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu today. The officials discussed Moldova-EU regional cooperation prospects, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported. 

Corina Cretu, whose grandparents were born on Moldova's current territory, said Moldova's EU course was very important and worth following. "An absolute priority now is to form a steady government able to ensure the continuation of EU integration reforms," Cretu said. The EU official added that steady and strong institutions were needed to implement the Association Agreement. 

According to Corina Cretu, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region could help improve Moldova's social-economic development and consolidate its energy and environment sectors. In her opinion, Moldova is not turning EU regional cooperation tools to good account well enough. Cretu urged Moldovan top authorities to continue institutional reforms and enhance administrative abilities to maximally turn to account Moldova's regional cooperation potential. 

Candu thanked the EU for backing Moldova, praising the EU officials' willingness to help it use the opportunities of the Association Agreement over the first year upon its signing and ratification. 

(Editor L. Alcaza)