Hungary supports European aspirations of Moldova

Chisinau, 07 March /MOLDPRES/ – The issues of Moldovan – Hungarian cooperation in political, economic, environmental, cultural fields, as well as collaboration within international organisations were discussed today in Chisinau by Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Tudor Ulianovschi, and his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjártó, paying an official visit to Moldova.

According to the MAEIE’s public diplomacy, strategic communication and media interaction service, ministers Tudor Ulianovschi and Péter Szijjártó addressed a wide range of topics on relations between Moldova and Hungary in more areas, welcoming positive dynamics of registered within recent political and diplomatic dialogues. The heads of diplomats of the two states exchanged views on regional situation and latest developments in process of settling the Transnistrian conflict. Minister Ulianovschi expressed gratitude to the Hungarian government for the support given to Moldova in process of European integration, promotion and implementation of modernisation objectives, according to provisions of Moldova – EU Association Agreement.

In this context, Minister Ulianovschi said that "Moldova appreciates the recent Joint Statement of official meeting of speakers of the Visegrád Group parliaments, adopted in Budapest, which urges the EU to "provide a credible prospect for countries wishing to join the European Union.""

The head of Moldovan diplomacy mentioned Moldova’s interest in expanding bilateral relations with Hungary on commercial – economic segment, in particular by organising the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in Chisinau, allowing initiation of new investment projects involving business environment of both states, diversification of trade, etc. In the context, Tudor Ulianovschi said that with free trade agreements with both the EU and the CIS states, Moldova could have become a bridge between West and East or other regions of the world.

Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister, Péter Szijjártó, emphasized opening of Budapest authorities to intensify bilateral relations with Moldova on all dimensions and support efforts of Chisinau authorities in the process of European integration, implementation of reforms etc. The head of Hungarian diplomacy said his country has supported EU's granting of macro – financial assistance to Moldova and opting for EU's enlargement to include Moldova along with Western Balkan states in the list of potential members.

Referring to the political processes in Moldova, Minister Péter Szijjártó mentioned that each sovereign state alone is to set out its guidelines for development, modernisation and reformation, taking into account national interest and its citizens, including also the electoral system.

The interlocutors exchanged views on current state of the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, regional situation, relations with neighbouring countries etc.

Ministers Tudor Ulianovschi and Péter Szijjártó signed the Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and the Environment of Moldova (MADRM) and Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary (MAH) on environmental cooperation.

The document constitutes a legal framework for Moldovan – Hungarian cooperation in the field of nature protection, biological diversity, animal species and their habitats; reducing air pollution. The document also provides for cooperation in the field of harmonisation of legislation of Moldova on environment and nature protection with EU regulations, implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change etc.

In order to continue the bilateral dialogue, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, launched an invitation to Moldovan counterpart to pay an official visit to Hungary during 2018, an invitation which was accepted.