Moldovan PM meets Belgian ambassador

Chisinau, 21 February /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Bucharest-based Belgian Ambassador to Moldova Thomas Baekelandt brought for discussion aspects of the bilateral cooperation between Moldova and Belgium and possibilities of strengthening the Moldovan-Belgian dialogue at a today’s meeting, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.   

The sides found out that the Moldovan-Belgian ties were on the rise and the bilateral dialogue was very good. In the context, the prime minister reiterated the government’s full commitment to implement the agenda of reforms, according to the EU-Moldova Association Agreement. The PM stressed that Moldova was further relying on Belgium’s support in its efforts of modernization.  

Referring to the successful bilateral projects, Pavel Filip highlighted the cooperation in the domestic affairs sector. “We want in continuation the assistance of our Belgian colleagues in taking over European experiences in the domestic affairs and justice sector. At the same time, separately from these fields, we will appreciate the exchange of experience with Belgian experts in aspects dealing with ensuring the security of food products, adjusting the national standards in the phyto-sanitary field to the EU ones,” the PM stressed.   

The prime minister also highlighted the importance of cooperation in the social security sector between the two states, after the entrance into force of the agreement on social security between Moldova and the Kingdom of Belgium on 1 January 2016. The accord regulates aspects concerning the social security of emigrant workers who temporarily or permanently work in Belgium.    

The prime minister also touched upon the government’s reforms’ agenda, in the implementation of which the authorities were relying on the support of development partners. “We are focused on the reforms’ implementation, thus proving that we want to regain the trust of the development partners and the agreement signed with IMF is a certificate of confidence for us,” Pavel Filip said.  

For his part, Ambassador of Belgium to Moldova Thomas Baekelandt stressed the dynamic character of the bilateral relations, which mark the 25th anniversary of their establishment in 2017. The diplomat reiterated his country’s support for Moldova’s European integration and its efforts to align with the European standards.  

Presently, there are 32 bilateral agreements between Moldova and Belgium and another three draft agreements are under consideration.