Lithuanian, Moldovan officials broach reforms, cooperation

Chisinau, 27 April/MOLDPRES/- Lithuania and EU expect from the Moldovan government concrete actions, based on reforms in all sectors, signing of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and depoliticizing the state institutions, Lithuanian Foreign Minsiter Linas Linkevičius said after a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Andrei Galbur.

Linas Linkevičius noted that Moldova must take concrete steps, due to yield positive results, as the country was to be assessed according well-defined actions.

“We appreciate the positive results we have lately attested in Moldova, we further expect new results, as we will never tolerate corruption and lack of responsibility on behalf of the country’s leadership”, he said.

“To further enjoy the EU support, it is necessary for Moldova to sign an agreement with IMF, we expect reforms in the banking system, fighting corruption in the justice system and not only, prices' transparency in the energy sector, minimizing the influence of oligarchs on setting rates, as well as the depoliticizing of media outlets in the country”, Linas Linkevičius added.

Andrei Galbur said that, at the meeting, the sides had discussed the roadmap of the government and parliament in implementing the Association Agreement with EU, Transnistria-related problems, national security on conflict in Ukraine and Moldova's priority directions for the next period.

“In less than two months, we have carried out almost 41 per cent of measures included in the roadmap. We will further rely on boosting the Moldovan-Lithuanian relations and close cooperation in the economic sector, especially as a new round of the joint meeting of the Moldovan-Lithuanian commission for European integration is to take place in the second half of this year”, Galbur said.

Linas Linkevičius pays a working visit to Chisinau on 26-28 April. He will have meetings with President Nicolae Timofti, Prime Minister Pavel Filip, Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu, as well as leaders of Moldovan political parties.

(Reporter A. Plitoc. editor L. Alcaza)