Romania to further back Moldova’s EU integration course

Chisinau, 17 February /MOLDPRES/-Romania will further back Moldova’s EU integration course. A statement to this effect was made by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis today during a meeting with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti, on a visit to Bucharest.

During the meeting, the officials discussed bilateral ties, Moldova’s European agenda, as well as economic, political and social collaboration. The sides have also tackled the release of the first installment of Romania’s loan for Moldova, if the latter implements the EU integration agenda and signs an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“We continue to back Moldova through a reimbursable loan and non-reimbursable material aid, which will be offered if Moldova’s public approach registers progress. We were glad to find out that some of the conditions are already being implemented. Thus, we decided to grant Moldova humanitarian aid until it meets the conditions need for receiving the reimbursable financial assistance,” Iohannis said.

“We have decided to back you on the European path. We acknowledge that we need more joint economic projects, such as Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, as well as other opportunities for the benefit of both countries,” Iohannis added.

Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti said Moldova’s current political crisis and its institutional problems had not hurt the Moldovan-Romanian political and economic dialogue.

“Moldova’s current problems brought it even closer to Romania. The support you are offering us is undeniable and we thank Romanian authorities for this. Our political, economic and informational approach should be a goal for the following years. I am convinced that this tendency will bring benefits for citizens on both sides of Prut River, as we are united by blood, history and spirit,” Timofti said.

During the meeting, Timofti awarded his Romanian counterpart with the “Order of the Republic” state award.

The Moldovan president is paying an official visit to Bucharest on 16-17 February. Following his meeting with Iohannis, Timofti will meet Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, Senate President Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and other high officials.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, Editor A. Raileanu)