Moldovan, European officials broach reforms, economic situation

Chisinau, 9 February /MOLDPRES/- On a working visit to Brussels, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Andrei Galbur met European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn on 8 February, the Foreign and European Integration Ministry’s communication and media relations service has reported.

The sides approached up-to-date issues on the agenda of Moldova’s relations with EU, especially, focused on implementation of the Association Agreement, priority goals of the government for forthcoming perspective, resumption of financial assistance, as well as social and political situation in Moldova.

The Moldovan official handed a letter to the European commissioner on behalf of Prime Minister Pavel Filip, which is addressed to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, saying the steps due to be made by the Moldovan government to promote reforms and recover social and economic situation in the country.

Referring to carrying out the national action plan on implementation of the Association Agreement, Galbur noted that the new government was determined to liquidate the arrears registered in this respect before the meeting of the Association Council due in March.

For his part, Hahn encouraged the Moldovan authorities to firmly act in order to implement the economic and structural reforms, especially, in justice, fight against corruption and consolidation of financial and banking sector. He also highlighted importance of continuing the dialogue with civil society and resuming cooperation with the foreign development partners in order to overcome the problems faced by Moldova this period.

In this context, Hahn suggested elaboration of a roadmap with terms of execution for the actions mentioned in the list of immediate priorities. Both officials shared the vision that the forthcoming meeting of the Association Council would represent an element of objective assessment of results and a platform for jointly setting priorities for the next period.

(Editor A. Răileanu)