Romania to contribute to fostering Moldova – EU relations – Romanian foreign affairs minister says

Chisinau, 25 June /MOLDPRES/ – Romania will contribute to development of relations of Moldova and EU during its presidency of the Council of the European Union. The statement was made today by the Deputy Minister for European Affairs of Romania, Victor Negrescu, following a meeting in Bucharest with Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova, Iurie Leanca.

The meeting took place at the fifth intergovernmental meeting of the European Commission for European Integration Romania – Moldova. The meeting was chaired by Victor Negrescu and Iurie Leanca.

At a press conference, the Romanian official noted that the meeting with Moldovan authorities was constructive, and within it, there was established mechanism for mechanism for providing support in the European path of Moldova.

"We discussed the association agreement and the deep and comprehensive exchange area with EU. One important issue was reduction of roaming tariffs and harmonisation of legislation of two states, which would lead Moldova closer to EU. We agreed to achieve on info exchange to combat organised crime and cross – border crime. In legal field, we determined to provide support in process of institutional reform, combating discrimination and food industry.We expressed our concern about events in Moldova and we believe that it is very important that citizens want to trust state institutions. We reiterated that Romania is ready to share its experience on European path. We want to continue good collaboration and do more joint actions. Romania was, is and will be the most important partner of Moldova on the way to EU," said Victor Negrescu.

At his turn, Deputy Prime Minister, Iurie Leanca, said that European integration of Moldova is possible only with support of Romania. "We shall apply best practices offered by our friends. We have made more progress and we thank for your support in overcoming difficulties. We appreciate professional training of employees of legal system. We want to attract European funds and we assume implementation of existing projects. Together with partners we have established concrete actions that will bring us closer to EU and prospect of joining EU will be as close as possible. The Romanian Presidency in the Council of the European Union gives us an unprecedented opportunity. We want to prove that our country is a real candidate for accession to EU," related Leanca.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)