Moldovan deputy premier meets Finnish ambassador

Chisinau, 4 February /MOLDPRES/ - Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Balan today had a meeting with Bucharest-based Ambassador of Finland to Moldova Paivi Pohjanheimo, the Bureau for reintegration has reported.  

In the beginning of the meeting, the ambassador welcomed the establishment of a new government in Moldova. The diplomat voiced hope that the present cabinet would manage to ensure the political and economic stability in Moldova, continuing carrying out the reforms and implementing the provisions of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement.  

In this context, the deputy prime minister gave assurances that the promotion of the European integration vector remained a priority on the present government’s agenda. Balan noted the commitments taken by the cabinet, among which the implementation of urgent measures to improve the social and economic situation in Moldova, liquidating the debts in terms of enforcing the Moldova-EU Association Agreement, carrying out an exigent working agenda for the next 100 days, so that, when this period ends, the residents feel the results.

As for the Transnistria-related problems, the deputy prime minister shortly reviewed the developments of the present situation in the settlement process. Balan underlined that the government was set to ensure a permanent communication with the foreign partners and relevant international organisations, boost the Chisinau-Tiraspol dialogue at all levels, maintain stability in the Security Zone and identify solutions to the most pressing problems faced by the residents on both banks of Dniester. Identifying a viable political solution to the Transnistrian conflict, by observing Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, represents one of the key priorities on the government’s agenda.   

Gheorghe Balan reiterated the need to unconditionally continue the five-plus-two talks and keep all the present dialogue platforms functional.  

At the same time, the officials discussed issues of ensuring the free movement in the region, situation of the Moldova-run Latin-script schools, implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) in the Transnistrian region, etc.  

In the end of the meeting, Paivi Pohjanheimo thanked the Moldovan deputy prime minister for the comprehensive dialogue and reaffirmed Finland’s support for the achievement of the goals set by the government for Moldova’s rapprochement with the European Union.

(Editor A. Raileanu)